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

See Examples For:

hook and eye

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

It was Ruth's suggestion that the coats would be improved by a single hook and eye sewed on in the small of the back where the buttons usually are.

From The Gilded Age, Part 3. by Warner, Charles Dudley

Not only have I examined the various materials for stains, but I've tested each hook and eye and button and pin.

From The Film Mystery by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

A bird's-eye view of the three loops would compare well in shape to the little mechanical contrivance known as the "eye" in the combination of "hook and eye."

From Through the Grand Canyon from Wyoming to Mexico by Kolb, E. L. (Ellsworth Leonardson)

Sara noticed that she fastened it with a hook and eye exactly like the ones on Mother's prettiest waist—only this one was more valuable, being of gold.

From The Garden of the Plynck by Minard, Florence

Related Words

• hook
• snap