LOCK, n. [L. floccus, Eng. lock.] 1. Lock, in its primary sense, is any thing that fastens; but we now appropriate the word to an instrument composed of a spring, wards, and a bolt of iron or steel, used to fasten doors, chests and the like. The bolt is moved by a key.2. The part of a musket or fowling-piece or other fire-arm, which contains the pan, trigger, &c.3. The barrier or works of a canal, which confine the water, consisting of a dam, banks or walls, with two gates or pairs of gates, which may be opened or shut at pleasure.4. A grapple in wrestling.5. Any inclosure.6. A tuft of hair; a plexus of wool, hay or other like substance; a flock; a ringlet of hair.A lock of hair will draw more than a cable rope.Lock of water, is the measure equal to the contents of the chamber of the locks by which the consumption of water on a canal is estimated.
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