bolt

1 noun (C)

1 LOCK a metal bar that you slide across a door or window to fasten it

2 SCREW a screw with a flat head and no point, for fastening two pieces of metal together

3 a bolt from out of the blue news that is sudden and unexpected: It was a bolt out of the blue when Alan resigned - completely unexpected.

4 bolt of lightning lightning that appears as a white line in the sky

-see also: thunderbolt

5 make a bolt for (it) to suddenly try to escape from somewhere

6 WEAPON a short heavy arrow (1) that is fired from a crossbow (1)

7 CLOTH a large long roll of cloth

-see also: shoot your bolt shoot 1 (20), the nuts and bolts of nut 1 (6) 2 verb

1 (I)

2

a) to suddenly start to run very fast because you are frightened: The horse reared up and bolted.

b) to escape from somewhere: Kevin had bolted through the open window.

3 also bolt down (T) to eat very quickly: Don't bolt your food.

4 to fasten two things together using a bolt 1 (2): We had the safe bolted to the wall.

5 (I, T) to lock a door or window by sliding a bolt across

3 adverb sit /stand bolt upright to sit or stand with your back very straight