hook and eye

American  

noun

1. a two-piece clothes fastener, usually of metal, consisting of a hook that catches onto a loop or bar.

2. a three-piece latching device consisting of a hook attached to a screw eye or an eyebolt and a separate screw eye or eyebolt that the hook engages as it bridges a gap, as one between a door and a jamb or a gate and a gatepost.

3. Also called eyehook.  the two-piece portion of such a device consisting of a hook and a screw eye.

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hook and eye British  

noun

1. a fastening for clothes consisting of a small hook hooked onto a small metal or thread loop

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Etymology

Origin of hook and eye

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

I gasped, as Sallie fastened the last hook and eye and stood beside Mammy to admire me.

From The Heart's Kingdom by Daviess, Maria Thompson

The ends of the belt should be slightly tapered, and the hook and eye screwed firmly home.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

Attach a small hook and eye on each end and fasten two leather handles to the crosspieces.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.

Did you feel a thrill of pleasure when the last hook and eye was fastened and you surveyed yourself in the longest mirror in the house?

From Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshmen Girls by Flower, Jessie Graham [pseud.]

—They're only in the hook and eye department, Myles Crawford said.

From Ulysses by Joyce, James

Related Words

• hook
• snap