padlock
[pad-lok]
- a portable or detachable lock with a pivoted or sliding shackle that can be passed through a link, ring, staple, or the like.
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- to fasten with or as with a padlock.
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Origin of padlock
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for padlock
Contemporary Examples
On the Pont des Arts we buy a padlock engraved with our initials, T and E.
Yet Romney happily slid his leg into this manacle, slammed down the padlock, and threw the key into the river.
One tent had a padlock on the front, a visible if not effective request for some privacy.
Historical Examples
After refastening the padlock, they both returned to the bench.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
He got out with a padlock and chain; and, having put these in place, offered Alice his hand.
Alice AdamsBooth Tarkington
As he placed the key in the padlock, he could hear the rattle of the chains of the man inside.
Murder PointConingsby Dawson
He walked to the door and took out his gun as he examined the padlock.
The CoyoteJames Roberts
When the padlock snapped behind him Code took in his surroundings.
The Harbor of DoubtFrank Williams
padlock
- a detachable lock having a hinged or sliding shackle, which can be used to secure a door, lid, etc, by passing the shackle through rings or staples
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- (tr) to fasten with or as if with a padlock
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Word Origin
C15 pad, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for padlock
n.
"removable lock," late 15c., from lokke (see lock (n.)), but the first element is of unknown origin.
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v.
1640s, from padlock (n.). Related: Padlocked; padlocking.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper