Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *bʰóldos?
Proto-Germanic *bultaz
Proto-West Germanic *bolt
Old English bolt
Middle English bolt
English bolt
From Middle English bolt, from Old English bolt, from Proto-West Germanic *bolt, from Proto-Germanic *bultaz, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld- (“to knock, strike”). Compare Lithuanian beldu (“I knock”), baldas (“pole for striking”). Akin to Dutch and West Frisian bout, German Bolz or Bolzen, Danish bolt, Swedish bult, Icelandic bolti.
The association of thunder and lightning with 'bolts' is found back into prehistory in many cultures, at least in Eurasia. It comes from the long-standing widespread belief that lightning was caused by bolts, darts, or stones hurtling down from the sky to the earth. This belief was still regarded as commonplace until at least 1929.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.
[He] came bolt up against the heavy dragoon. 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *bʰóldos?
Proto-Germanic *bultaz
Proto-West Germanic *bolt
Old English bolt
Middle English bolt
English bolt
From Middle English bolt, from Old English bolt, from Proto-West Germanic *bolt, from Proto-Germanic *bultaz, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld- (“to knock, strike”). Compare Lithuanian beldu (“I knock”), baldas (“pole for striking”). Akin to Dutch and West Frisian bout, German Bolz or Bolzen, Danish bolt, Swedish bult, Icelandic bolti.
The association of thunder and lightning with 'bolts' is found back into prehistory in many cultures, at least in Eurasia. It comes from the long-standing widespread belief that lightning was caused by bolts, darts, or stones hurtling down from the sky to the earth. This belief was still regarded as commonplace until at least 1929.
Meanings
A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw.
Latch-related senses ▸ A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism.
There was the noise of a bolt shot back, and the door opened a few inches, enough to show a long snout and a pair of sleepy blinking eyes. 1908 October, Kenneth Grahame, “Mr. Badger”, in The Wind in the Willows, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, →OCLC, page 69:
Latch-related senses ▸ A bar of wood or metal dropped in horizontal hooks on a door and adjoining wall or between the two sides of a double door, to prevent the door(s) from being forced open.
Latch-related senses ▸ A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm.
An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
He shall to prison, and there die in boults. 1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England: […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press] for Henry Bell, […], published 1622, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
Away with him to prison! Lay bolts enough upon him: c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc).
All kinds of vegetables may be used as a topping, but the best are strongly flavoured ones without too much moisture, such as celery, garlic bolts, chives, scallions, or various beans (long beans, green beans etc.) ... 2013, Wong Yoon Wah, Durians Are Not the Only Fruit: Notes from the Tropics, Epigram Books, →ISBN:
She ordered Cat's Ear Noodles heaped with garlic bolts and tomatoes, the broth thick with cumin, laced with black vinegar. The girl caught her accent, the sibilant sing-song of the south, and smiled, tilting her head questioningly. 2017, Adam Brookes, The Spy's Daughter, Redhook, →ISBN:
A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
Mr. Cole, Basket-maker...has lost near 300 boults of rods 1774 March 24, Stamford Mercury:
Not only were the old sails being mended, but new sails were coming on board, and bolts of canvas, and coils of rigging; in short, everything betokened that the ship's preparations were hurrying to a close. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “All Astir”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 106:
A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth. ▸ The standard linear measurement of canvas for use at sea: 39 yards.
Senses involving sudden movement ▸ A small personal-armour-piercing missile for short-range use, or (in common usage though deprecated by experts) a short arrow, intended to be shot from a crossbow or a catapult.
Senses involving sudden movement ▸ A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt. (See thunderbolt.)
He had seen lightning bolts yesterday night.
Senses involving sudden movement ▸ A sudden event, action or emotion.
With a bolt of fright he remembered that there was no bathroom in the Hobhouse Room. He leapt along the corridor in a panic, stopping by the long-case clock at the end where he flattened himself against the wall. 1994, Stephen Fry, chapter 2, in The Hippopotamus:
The problem's solution struck him like a bolt from the blue.
Senses involving sudden movement ▸ A sudden spring or start; a sudden leap aside.
The horse made a bolt.
Senses involving sudden movement ▸ A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
This gentleman was so hopelessly involved that he contemplated a bolt to America — or anywhere. 1887, Charles Reade, Compton Reade, Charles Reade, Dramatist, Novelist, Journalist: A Memoir:
(US) Senses involving sudden movement ▸ A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one's party.
Senses involving sudden movement ▸ A burst of speed or efficiency.
In the event they lacked a proper midfield bolt, with Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira huffing around in pursuit of the whizzing green machine. The centre-backs looked flustered, left to deal with three on two as Mexico broke. Löw’s 4-2-3-1 seemed antiquated and creaky, with the old World Cup shark Thomas Müller flat-footed in a wide position. 2018 June 17, Barney Ronay, “Mexico’s Hirving Lozano stuns world champions Germany for brilliant win”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 05 Aug 2019:
ota مغلاق (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · de Fußeisen (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · la pessulus (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · km ចន្ទាស់ (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · grc γόμφος (metal fastener) · eo blokilo (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · pt grilhão (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · he בורג \ בֹּרֶג (metal fastener) · gl sarreira (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · cmn 匹 (large roll of material) · ca treta (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · gl rolo (large roll of material) · gl faísca (lightning spark) · alt болт (metal fastener) · tg болт (metal fastener) · sh stréla (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · th สลัก (metal fastener) · gl bío (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · gl fuísca (lightning spark) · sh ви́јак (metal fastener) · ur بولٹ (metal fastener) · es tranca (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · ms bolt (metal fastener) · fi telki (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · fr boulon (metal fastener) · de Sprung (sudden flight, as to escape creditors) · nb rigel (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · km រនុក (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · lv šautra (lightning spark) · sh ба̏ла (standard measure of length of canvas) · gl caravilla (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · lo ບູລອງ (metal fastener) · ko 볼트 (metal fastener) · sh zȁkovica (metal fastener) · tk bolt (metal fastener) · es pasador (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ru мо́лния (lightning spark) · de Bolzen (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · ug بولتا (metal fastener) · bg болт (metal fastener) · sq bulloni (metal fastener) · pt tranca (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · cmn 螺栓 (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · grc βλῆτρον (metal fastener) · fi salama (lightning spark) · nn bolt (metal fastener) · pl zasuwa (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · nn skrue (metal fastener) · ga bolta (metal fastener) · de Blitz (lightning spark) · da bundstykke (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · kea parafuze (metal fastener) · es virote (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · no sluttstykke (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · grc κέστρος (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · es cerrojo (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · sh prevornica (metal fastener) · ru задви́жка (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · az sürgü (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · sv pil (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · oc bolon (metal fastener) · tr cıvata (metal fastener) · sh bȁla (standard measure of length of canvas) · ka ჭანჭიკი (metal fastener) · mk шраф (metal fastener) · de Schuber (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · la sera (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · uk затво́р (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · hu villám (lightning spark) · fi vasama (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · sh за̏ковица (metal fastener) · sh рѐза (metal fastener) · gl funisca (lightning spark) · sh за̏вр̄тањ (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · fi pakka (standard measure of length of canvas) · nl grendel (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · lo ເຫລັກບູລອງ (metal fastener) · bg ма́ндало (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · gl tarrago (metal fastener) · nl bout (metal fastener) · fr rouleau (large roll of material) · gl parafuso (metal fastener) · sh стрије́ла (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · de Blitzschlag (lightning spark) · pt ferrolho (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · hi सिटकनी (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · nl rol (large roll of material) · de Dorn (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · el σύρτης (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · sh šȋp (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · mk завртка (metal fastener) · sh стре́ла (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · gl chavella (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · sh víjak (metal fastener) · he גְּלִילָה (large roll of material) · it otturatore (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · de Schraubbolzen (metal fastener) · pt relâmpago (lightning spark) · sh ба̏ла (large roll of material) · hu vég (large roll of material) · el κλείστρο (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · fr verrou (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · be шру́ба (metal fastener) · cmn 門栓 /门栓 (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · gl tarabelo (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · it chiavistello (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · eo ŝraŭbo (metal fastener) · be болт (metal fastener) · fr carreau (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · fi säppi (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · uz bolt (metal fastener) · cmn 弩箭 (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · cs šroub (metal fastener) · es tornillo (metal fastener) · pl śruba (metal fastener) · sv regel (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · uk за́сув (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · fa بلت (metal fastener) · eu torloju (metal fastener) · ru винт (metal fastener) · be затво́р (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · sq shul (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · nl grendel (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · bg мъ́лния (lightning spark) · ca balda (metal fastener) · ne पेच (metal fastener) · fi livistys (sudden flight, as to escape creditors) · ca forrellat (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · my မူလီ (metal fastener) · gl fírgoa (lightning spark) · lv strēle (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · pl piorun (lightning spark) · lv bulta (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · it rocchetto (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · it saetta (lightning spark) · ar مِصْمَال (metal fastener) · da slå (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · es chispa (lightning spark) · ja 落雷 (lightning spark) · zza sırme (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · mi whakarawa (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · sv rulle (large roll of material) · sv skäkta (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · de Schloß (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · eo riglilo (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ja ボルト (metal fastener) · it bullone (metal fastener) · es cadenas (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · pl antaba (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · kea parafuzu (metal fastener) · sh smȍtak (large roll of material) · sv blixt c vigg (lightning spark) · bg топ (large roll of material) · fi paali (large roll of material) · ro bolț (metal fastener) · sh чѝвија (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · uk болт (metal fastener) · pt tranca (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ru засо́в (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · mn боолт (metal fastener) · pl zasuwka (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · fi rulla (large roll of material) · hi बिजली (lightning spark) · pt rolo (large roll of material) · lt varžtas (metal fastener) · da bolt (metal fastener) · ja 稲妻 (lightning spark) · nl grendel (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · bg резе́ (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · lv bulta (metal fastener) · izh boltta (metal fastener) · es rollo (large roll of material) · es grillete (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · sq kyçi (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · hi बोल्ट (metal fastener) · es tranquilla (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · sh čìvija (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · sq dry (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · sw bolti (metal fastener) · de Riegel (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · gl grilós (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · sk západka (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · it barilotto (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · de Falle (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ru болт (metal fastener) · gd bolta (large roll of material) · sk skrutka (metal fastener) · gl mourón (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · gl ferrollo (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · fi kahle (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · fi salpa (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · gl chispa (lightning spark) · fr vis (metal fastener) · az bolt (metal fastener) · nl schicht (lightning spark) · es perno (metal fastener) · mi whaowiri (metal fastener) · fi livahdus (sudden flight, as to escape creditors) · alt јылдырма (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · cy bollt (metal fastener) · sh стрелка (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · ru затво́р (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · gl pen (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · it rotolo (large roll of material) · tt яшен (lightning spark) · la pessulus (metal fastener) · lv šautra (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · fi jalkarauta (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · pt virote (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · gl roldo (large roll of material) · de kurzer Pfeil (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · gl tabasa (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · es bulón (metal fastener) · sv regel (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · eo ŝtofbobeno (large roll of material) · ca forrellat (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · fi pakka (large roll of material) · es esposas (iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter) · pl bełt (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · pt faísca (lightning spark) · de Rolle (large roll of material) · gl virote (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · et polt (metal fastener) · ca llampec (lightning spark) · fi salpa (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · gl zorrolo (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · haw lāʻau keʻa (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · vi bu lông (metal fastener) · gl bulón (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · sv bunt c packe (large roll of material) · cmn 捲 /卷 (standard measure of length of canvas) · sh rèza (metal fastener) · es cerrojo (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · ga splanc (lightning spark) · grc ὀχεύς (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · sv kolv c låskolv (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · sh zatvàrāč (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · hu csavar (metal fastener) · sh zȁvr̄tanj (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · la veru (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · fr éclair (lightning spark) · it chiavistello (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · es trinquete (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · pl grom (lightning spark) · sh strelka (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · hy սողնակ (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · gl tranqueira (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · it fulmine (lightning spark) · de Donnerkeil (lightning spark) · ja 金剛 (lightning spark) · mi tūtaki (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · fr verrou (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ky болт (metal fastener) · pt parafuso (metal fastener) · sh ши̑п (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · de Ballen (large roll of material) · hi बाण (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · mi whakarawa (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ota كلید (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · pl rygiel (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · eo sparko (lightning spark) · sh затва̀ра̄ч (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · kk болт (metal fastener) · sq xixë (lightning spark) · de Bolzen (metal fastener) · ota ماندال (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · nl bout (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · de Bohrhaken (metal fastener) · sk uzáver (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · de Riegel (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ja 反物 (large roll of material) · de Schraube (metal fastener) · sl vijak (metal fastener) · de Bolzen (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · uk за́сов (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · es pestillo (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · es rayo (lightning spark) · az sürgü (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · uk за́совка (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · pt trinco (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · th กลอน (metal fastener) · sh bȁla (large roll of material) · eo bolto (metal fastener) · sh смо̏так (large roll of material) · km សន្ទះ (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ru руло́н (large roll of material) · mi tūtaki (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · ota اوق (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · sh strijéla (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · cmn 閃電 /闪电 (lightning spark) · mi pine (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · ta தாழ்பாள் (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · lo ຄວງ (metal fastener) · hy հեղույս (metal fastener) · sv slutstycke (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · gl cincón (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · es falleba (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · eo fulmo (lightning spark) · hi पेंच (metal fastener) · fi lukko (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · ru арбале́тная стрела́ (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · ru засо́в (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · mi pōkai (papanga) (large roll of material) · sv bult (metal fastener) · mi koropā (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · cmn 螺栓 (metal fastener) · km ខ្ចៅឈ្មោល (metal fastener) · hu tolózár (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · hu retesz (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · nb skrue (metal fastener) · nb bolt (metal fastener) · eo rulaĵo (large roll of material) · gl bulón (metal fastener) · lv bulta (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · fi pultti (metal fastener) · uk за́сувка (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · is slagbrandur (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · be за́саў (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · cmn 門栓 /门栓 (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · nl pijl (short, stout, blunt-headed arrow) · pl rygiel (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · sh преворница (metal fastener) · gl ferrollo (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · pt barra (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · gl zorrolo (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · tr sürgü (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · zza cıwate (metal fastener) · de Strahl (lightning spark) · be за́саўка (bar to prevent a door from being forced open) · es aldabilla (sliding pin or bar in a lock) · gl falmega (lightning spark) · eo ĉano (sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm) · cy bollten (metal fastener)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *bʰóldos?
Proto-Germanic *bultaz
Proto-West Germanic *bolt
Old English bolt
Middle English bolt
English bolt
From Middle English bolt, from Old English bolt, from Proto-West Germanic *bolt, from Proto-Germanic *bultaz, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld- (“to knock, strike”). Compare Lithuanian beldu (“I knock”), baldas (“pole for striking”). Akin to Dutch and West Frisian bout, German Bolz or Bolzen, Danish bolt, Swedish bult, Icelandic bolti.
The association of thunder and lightning with 'bolts' is found back into prehistory in many cultures, at least in Eurasia. It comes from the long-standing widespread belief that lightning was caused by bolts, darts, or stones hurtling down from the sky to the earth. This belief was still regarded as commonplace until at least 1929.
Meanings
(transitive) To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt.
Bolt the vice to the bench.
(figuratively, transitive) To affix in a crude or unnatural manner.
Going through the motions with an empty smile bolted on my face 2013, Days N' Daze, “Call in the Coroner”, in Rogue Taxidermy:
Most languages are *not* based on C++. C++ is a complicated mess. It's C with object oriented features bolted on as an afterthought and no-one in their right mind would want to base another language on it. 2000 September 14, Brennan Young, “to all of you pro programmers out there.”, in macromedia.flash (Usenet):
(transitive) To secure a bolt or bolts; to lock using a bolt.
Bolt the door.
If that double-bolted land, Japan, is ever to become hospitable, it is the whale-ship alone to whom the credit will be due; for already she is on the threshold. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “The Advocate”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 122:
‘Seize me this malapert caitiff! Bolt and shackle him!’ 1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 84:
(intransitive) To flee, to depart, to accelerate away suddenly.
Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.
Bradly was embarrassed, detected in the character of a snooper. But he had to come on, short of bolting back in his tracks. 1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 87:
This Pucke ſeems but a dreaming dolt, / Still vvalking like a ragged Colt, / And oft out of a buſh doth bolt, / Of purpoſe to deceiue vs, / And leading vs makes vs to ſtray. 1627, Michaell [i.e., Michael] Drayton, “The Moone Calfe”, in The Battaile of Agincourt. […], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for William Lee, […], →OCLC, page 178:
The actor forgot his line and bolted from the stage.
(intransitive) To escape.
(transitive) To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge (an animal being hunted).
to bolt a rabbit
To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
His cloudleſs thunder bolted on thir heads. 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 98:
(intransitive, of lettuce, qualifier:spinach; garlic; onion; etc; spinach; garlic; onion; etc) To produce flower stalks and flowers or seeds quickly or prematurely; to form a bolt (stalk or scape); to go to seed.
When an onion bolts and forms a flower stalk, the stem grows right up through the neck, forming a tough, fibrous tube that pierces the center of the bulb. The plant channels all its energy into this flower stalk, so no more fleshy […] 1982, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, Diane E. Bilderback, Garden Secrets: A Guide to Understanding how Your Garden Grows and how You Can Help it Grow Even Better, →ISBN:
To be honest, this hasn't been my Garden of Eden year. […] The lettuce turned bitter and bolted. The Green Comet broccoli was good, but my coveted Romanescos never headed up. 1995, Anne Raver, “Gandhi Gardening”, in Deep in the Green: An Exploration of Country Pleasures, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, →ISBN:
Hardneck garlic bolts, which means it produces a single flower stalk, also known as a scape. It is considered to be far tastier and “gourmet.” You can find hardneck garlic mainly at farmers' markets […] 2011, Trina Clickner, A Miscellany of Garlic: From Paying Off Pyramids and Scaring Away Tigers to Inspiring Courage and Curing Hiccups, the Unusual Power Behind the World's Most Humble Vegetable, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN:
Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.
(transitive) To swallow food without chewing it.
Though amid all the smoking horror and diabolism of a sea-fight, sharks will be seen longingly gazing up to the ship’s decks, like hungry dogs round a table where red meat is being carved, ready to bolt down every killed man that is tossed to them; 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter 64, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 327:
Some hawks and owls bolt their prey whole, and after an interval of from twelve to twenty hours, disgorge pellets, which, as I know from experiments made in the Zoological Gardens, include seeds capable of germination. 1859 November 24, Charles Darwin, “Geographical Distribution”, in On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, […], London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 362:
‘Here’s me been rushed into this job before I’ve had time to bolt a hasty dinner.’ 1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 103:
(transitive) To drink one's drink very quickly; to down a drink.
Come on, everyone, bolt your drinks; I want to go to the next pub!
(US) To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
John Silber charged that people who bolted the Democratic Party in this election are "Kamakaze ^([sic]) liberals", beneath contempt and clearly too stupid to deserve to vote. 1990 December 9, Richard Braun, “A Whole New Day For The Party: Giving Us A Voice”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 21, page 5:
To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
I hate when vice can bolt her arguments. 1634 October 9 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC, page 26, line 760:
io glutegar (to swallow food without chewing) · hu csavaroz (to connect pieces using a bolt) · lv rīt (to swallow food without chewing) · el δραπετεύω (to escape) · sv rusa (to accelerate suddenly) · de zusammenschrauben (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de davonspringen (to escape) · de verriegeln (to secure a door) · mi mokohiti (to escape) · de anschrauben (to connect pieces using a bolt) · mi whaupa (to swallow food without chewing) · ru давать дёра (to accelerate suddenly) · de wegspringen (to accelerate suddenly) · bg залоствам (to secure a door) · pt trancar (to secure a door) · it inghiottire (to swallow food without chewing) · de verschrauben (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de Reißaus nehmen (to escape) · mi whakarawa (to secure a door) · bg закрепвам с болт (to connect pieces using a bolt) · ru скрепи́ть (to connect pieces using a bolt) · el αποδιδράσκω (to escape) · bg офейквам (to escape) · ota مانداللامق (to secure a door) · sv fly (to escape) · eo forkuri (to escape) · de verbolzen (to connect pieces using a bolt) · fr s’enfuir (to escape) · fi pultata (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de davonlaufen (to escape) · it sprangare (to secure a door) · eo rigli (to secure a door) · de schießen (of a plant, to grow quickly) · de davonjagen (to escape) · de stürzen (to accelerate suddenly) · de fliehen (to escape) · gsw rigle (to secure a door) · fi karata (to escape) · de durchgehen (to accelerate suddenly) · fi paeta (to escape) · sv fästa (to connect pieces using a bolt) · be знітаваць (to connect pieces using a bolt) · fi rynnätä (to accelerate suddenly) · it fuggire (to escape) · fr monter (of a plant, to grow quickly) · de durchbrennen (to escape) · de zurückspringen (to accelerate suddenly) · it scappare (to escape) · de abhauen (to escape) · fi niellä kokonaisena (to swallow food without chewing) · fi teljetä (to secure a door) · bg хуквам (to accelerate suddenly) · pl ryglować (to secure a door) · sv skena (to accelerate suddenly) · de hinunterschlingen (to swallow food without chewing) · sv regla (to secure a door) · de sich davonmachen (to escape) · fi salvata (to secure a door) · de entkommen (to escape) · de zuriegeln (to secure a door) · it serrare (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de verschlingen (to swallow food without chewing) · es salir disparado (to accelerate suddenly) · it trangugiare (to swallow food without chewing) · hu elreteszel (to secure a door) · sv låsa (to secure a door) · fi niellä pureskelematta (to swallow food without chewing) · fr boulonner (to connect pieces using a bolt) · fr s’échapper (to escape) · he הבריג (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de davonstürzen (to escape) · ru дать дёра (to accelerate suddenly) · de eilen (to accelerate suddenly) · fi venähtää (of a plant, to grow quickly) · de davoneilen (to escape) · ru приви́нчивать (to connect pieces using a bolt) · mi horopeta (to swallow food without chewing) · pt aparafusar (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de fortlaufen (to escape) · es trancar (to secure a door) · de verschwinden (to escape) · sv skruva (to connect pieces using a bolt) · sv förbinda (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de ausreißen (to escape) · de schlingen (to swallow food without chewing) · it imbullonare (to connect pieces using a bolt) · io riglagar (to secure a door) · de sausen (to accelerate suddenly) · gl aparafusar (to connect pieces using a bolt) · fr monter en graine (of a plant, to grow quickly) · ru привинти́ть (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de springen (to accelerate suddenly) · sv schappa (to escape) · mi mokowhiti (to escape) · es atornillar (to connect pieces using a bolt) · de davonspringen (to accelerate suddenly) · de abriegeln (to secure a door) · el αμπαρώνω (to secure a door) · de in die Höhe schießen (of a plant, to grow quickly) · de wegrennen (to escape)
From Middle English bulten, from Anglo-Norman buleter, Old French bulter (modern French bluter), from a Germanic source originally meaning "bag, pouch" cognate with Middle High German biuteln (“to sift”), from Proto-Germanic *buzdô (“beetle, grub, swelling”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰūs- (“to move quickly”). Cognate with Dutch buidel.
Meanings
A sieve, especially a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.
We have a number of these reels in different mills that are bolting the break flour direct from the scalping reels and scalped through No. 8 cloth. […] Now, gentlemen, they require a much less number to do a given amount of work than any other known machine or bolt, and require less space and power. 1886, The Mechanical News, page 120:
The combination, in a flour bolt, of a reel head having a throat near its outer edge for the passage of the tailings and a series of revolving adjustable beaters, substantially as set forth. 1885, Canada. Patent Office, The Canadian Patent Office Record and Register of Copyrights and Trade Marks, page 279:
As the material is agitated by the motion of the bolt, the flour falls through, while the smaller particles of bran are taken up by the current of air and carried off. 1896, United States. Patent Office, Decisions of the Commissioner of Patents and of the United States Courts in Patent and Trade-mark and Copyright Cases., page 493:
From Middle English bulten, from Anglo-Norman buleter, Old French bulter (modern French bluter), from a Germanic source originally meaning "bag, pouch" cognate with Middle High German biuteln (“to sift”), from Proto-Germanic *buzdô (“beetle, grub, swelling”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰūs- (“to move quickly”). Cognate with Dutch buidel.
Meanings
To sift, especially through a cloth.
To sift the bran and germ from wheat flour.
Graham flour is unbolted flour; in contrast, some other flours have been bolted.
Coming to a farmer's house, he takes a liking to a "good handsome maid," that was there, and in the night does her work for her, at breaking hemp and flax, bolting meal, etc. 1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 287:
To separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
Time and Nature will Bolt out the Truth of Things. 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
ill schooled in bolted language c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.
[…]the old habits of mooting or bolting caſes (i.e. of public disputations), might make the ſtudent more ſubtle and acute 1781, “The History and Antiquities of the Four Inns of Court”, in The Monthly Review: