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

Finish, to correspond with, collar, placing a rosette in the centre of the cuff, and fastening with a hook and eye.

From The Lady's Album of Fancy Work for 1850 by Unknown

"Some trifle may have been forgotten and a missing hook and eye might spoil the effect of the whole thing."

From Up the Hill and Over by Mackay, Isabel Ecclestone

I can get them fer her easy enough; the twins have been helping her some, one with a sinker and the other with a hook and eye.

From The Best Short Stories of 1919 and the Yearbook of the American Short Story by O'Brien, Edward J. (Edward Joseph Harrington)

Her black dress ended at the neck abruptly in its own binding and a hook and eye.

From The Pastor's Wife by Arnim, Elizabeth von

Sometimes from the smallness of the pulleys the inflexibility of the hook and eye becomes objectionable, and a simple hook is employed on solid round belting.

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

Related Words

• hook
• snap