bolt

Everyday

1. A bolt is a metal bar that slides across to lock a door or window. tree →
2. A bolt is a thick metal pin with a screw thread that goes with a nut to hold things together. tree →
3. A bolt of lightning is a flash of it. tree →
4. To bolt is to run away suddenly, like a frightened horse. tree →
5. To bolt food is to eat it very fast. tree →
6. To bolt a door is to lock it with a bolt. tree →
7. A bolt can also be a short, heavy arrow shot from a crossbow. tree →

In the lessons

In design and technology nuts and bolts hold parts together. In everyday life and safety: bolt the door at night; don't bolt your food or you might choke. In science lightning comes as bolts. In stories a horse bolts in fear; someone «sits bolt upright» (very straight, suddenly). Phrases: «a bolt from the blue» (a total surprise), «make a bolt for it» (run for it).

Examples

• Dad bolted the gate shut. tree →
• The horse bolted when it heard the thunder. tree →
• A bolt of lightning hit the tree. tree →
• Tighten the nut onto the bolt. tree →
• Don't bolt your dinner, chew it properly. tree →
• She sat bolt upright when the alarm went off. tree →
• The news came like a bolt from the blue. tree →
• The bolt hits whatever the eye sees.” tree →

Note

Regular verb: bolted, bolting. A bolt has no point (a nut screws onto it); a screw has a point and goes into wood. Lettuce «bolts» when it grows a tall flower stalk too early.

In Jewish tradition

Here "fiery bolt" means a burning arrow or fiery pestilence, sent as a punishment. In Samuel a bolt is also a bar that locks a door.

Interpretation. In the prophets and psalms, fiery bolts go out before God as a plague or burning heat, as when Egypt's flocks were given over to them. The tradition reads these as signs of God's power over nature and over nations.

Examples

• The wasting of hunger, and the devouring of the fiery bolt, and bitter destruction; and the teeth of beasts will I send upon them, with the venom of crawling things of the dust. (Torah DEU.32.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Before him goeth the pestilence, and fiery bolts go forth at His feet. (Prophets HAB.3.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• He gave over their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to fiery bolts. (Writings PSA.78.48, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said: 'Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.' — (Prophets 2SA.13.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: bolted, bolting. A bolt has no point (a nut screws onto it); a screw has a point and goes into wood. Lettuce «bolts» when it grows a tall flower stalk too early.