bolt
7 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
bolts
plural
bolts
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOLT
1
[count]
:
a bright line of light that appears in the sky during a storm
:
a flash of lightning
— often used figuratively in the phrases a bolt from the blue and a bolt out of the blue
-
a bolt of lightning = a lightning bolt
-
The news of his firing came as/like a bolt from the blue. [=like a bolt of lightning from the sky; it was surprising and unexpected]
2
[count]
a
:
a sliding bar that is used to lock a door or window
4
[singular]
British
:
the act of running or moving quickly and suddenly in a particular direction or to a particular place
-
When he saw the police, he made a bolt for [=made a dash for] the door.
-
The thief made a bolt for it. [=ran away]
5
[count]
:
a large roll of cloth
6
[count]
:
a tube-shaped metal part inside a gun
7
[count]
:
a short, heavy arrow that is shot from a type of weapon (called a crossbow) used mainly in the past
◊ If you have shot your bolt, you have done or used everything possible to try to do something, and there is nothing more that you can do.
-
The team had shot its bolt in the first quarter and didn't score again.
2
bolt
/ˈboʊlt/
verb
bolts;
bolted;
bolting
2
bolt
/ˈboʊlt/
verb
bolts;
bolted;
bolting
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOLT
1
[no object]
a
always followed by an adverb, adjective, or preposition
:
to move or go very suddenly and quickly from or to a particular place, position, or condition
-
He bolted up from the chair.
-
She bolted awake when the alarm sounded.
-
She bolted to her feet.
-
Reporters bolted [=rushed] for the door from which the mayor appeared.
-
The firefighters bolted [=sprang] into action.
b
:
to run away suddenly and quickly
-
The horse bolted when it heard the gunfire.
-
He took the money and bolted.
2
US
:
to suddenly leave a political party, team, etc.
[no object]
-
The coach bolted to a new team.
[+ object]
-
Some unhappy members have threatened to bolt the party and support the opposition.
3
a
:
to fasten (something) tightly
:
to lock (something) with a bolt
[+ object]
-
She closed and bolted the door.
-
Is the door bolted?
[no object]
-
The door bolts on the inside.
b
[+ object]
:
to attach (something) firmly
:
to attach (something) with a bolt
-
He bolted the panels together.
-
The bench was bolted to the floor.
4
[+ object]
:
to eat (food) quickly
— often + down
-
Mom told my brother not to bolt his food.
-
He bolted down his dinner and rushed out the door.
3
bolt
/ˈboʊlt/
adverb
3
bolt
/ˈboʊlt/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of BOLT
:
with the back in a very straight position
-
She sat bolt upright, staring straight ahead.
