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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

lock on en · VERB

Pronunciation

  • /ˌlɒk ˈɒn/ (UK)
  • /ˌlɑk ˈɑn/ (US)

Meanings

  1. (intransitive) To begin tracking a target via an automated system.
    • When the triangle came into view, the robot would then 'lock on' and move directly towards it, adjusting its course as it went. 1997, Phil Husbands, Inman Harvey, Fourth European Conference on Artificial Life, page 356:
    • Glasgow's Sea Darts failed to lock on to the attackers, but the Sea Wolfs from Brilliant shot down one Skyhawk while another attacker crashed while trying to evade the missiles. 2013, Jim Keys, Fighting Brits, page 255:
  2. (transitive) To cause a missile to track (a target).
  3. (intransitive) To engage in a lock-on protest.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
locks on Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
locked on Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
locked on Tense=Past lexicographic
locking on Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Coordinates

lock in · home in

Translations (6)

es encauzar (to cause a missile to track) · es fijar (to cause a missile to track) · pl wycelować (to cause a missile to track) · pl celować (to cause a missile to track) · es fijarse (to begin tracking a target via an automated system) · pl śledzić (to begin tracking a target via an automated system)