loci /loʊ sa I , loʊ ka I / Loci is the plural of locus .
lock ◆◇◇ /lɒ k/ (locks , locking , locked )
1 VERB When you lock something such as a door, drawer, or case, you fasten it, usually with a key, so that other people cannot open it. □ [V n] Are you sure you locked the front door? □ [V -ed] Wolfgang moved along the corridor towards the locked door at the end.
2 N‑COUNT The lock on something such as a door or a drawer is the device which is used to keep it shut and prevent other people from opening it. Locks are opened with a key. □ [+ of ] At that moment he heard Gill's key turning in the lock of the door. □ An intruder forced open a lock on French windows at the house.
3 VERB If you lock something or someone in a place, room, or container, you put them there and fasten the lock. □ [V n + in/into ] Her maid locked the case in the safe. □ [V n + in/into ] They beat them up and locked them in a cell.
4 VERB If you lock something in a particular position or if it lock there, it is held or fitted firmly in that position. □ [V n prep/adv] He leaned back in the swivel chair and locked his fingers behind his head. □ [V prep/adv] There was a whine of hydraulics as the undercarriage locked into position.
5 N‑COUNT On a canal or river, a lock is a place where walls have been built with gates at each end so that boats can move to a higher or lower section of the canal or river, by gradually changing the water level inside the gates.
6 N‑COUNT A lock of hair is a small bunch of hairs on your head that grow together and curl or curve in the same direction. □ [+ of ] She brushed a lock of hair off his forehead.
7 lock, stock, and barrel → see barrel
▸ lock away
1 PHRASAL VERB If you lock something away in a place or container, you put or hide it there and fasten the lock. □ [V n P ] She meticulously cleaned the gun and locked it away in its case. □ [V P n] He had even locked away all the videos of his previous exploits.
2 PHRASAL VERB To lock someone away means to put them in prison or a secure mental hospital. □ [V n P ] Locking them away is not sufficient, you have to give them treatment. [Also V P n]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you lock yourself away , you go somewhere where you can be alone, and do not come out or see anyone for some time. □ [V pron-refl P ] I locked myself away with books and magazines.
▸ lock in PHRASAL VERB If you lock someone in , you put them in a room and lock the door so that they cannot get out. □ [V n P ] Manda cried out that Mr Hoelt had no right to lock her in.
▸ lock out
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone locks you out of a place, they prevent you entering it by locking the doors. □ [V n P + of ] They had had a row, and she had locked him out of the apartment. □ [V n P ] My husband's locked me out.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you lock yourself out of a place, such as your house, you cannot get in because the door is locked and you do not have your keys. □ [V pron-refl P + of ] The new tenants locked themselves out of their apartment and had to break in. □ [V pron-refl P ] There had been a knock at the door and when she opened it she locked herself out. □ [V -ed P ] The wind had made the door swing closed, and she was now locked out.
3 PHRASAL VERB In an industrial dispute, if a company locks its workers out , it closes the factory or office in order to prevent the employees coming to work. [BUSINESS ] □ [V P n] The company locked out the workers, and then the rest of the work force went on strike. [Also V n P ]
▸ lock up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you lock something up in a place or container, you put or hide it there and fasten the lock. □ [V n P ] Give away any food you have on hand, or lock it up and give the key to the neighbours. □ [V P n] Control of materials could be maintained by locking up bombs.
2 PHRASAL VERB To lock someone up means to put them in prison or a secure psychiatric hospital. □ [V P n] Mr Milner persuaded the federal prosecutors not to lock up his client. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB When you lock up a building or car or lock up , you make sure that all the doors and windows are locked so that nobody can get in. □ [V P ] Don't forget to lock up. □ [V n P ] Leave your car here and lock it up.
locked ◆◇◇ /lɒ kt/ ADJ If you say that people are locked in conflict or in battle, you mean they are arguing or fighting in a fierce or determined way, and neither side seems likely to stop.
lock|er /lɒ kə r / (lockers ) N‑COUNT A locker is a small metal or wooden cupboard with a lock, where you can put your personal possessions, for example in a school, place of work, or sports club.
lo ck|er room (locker rooms ) N‑COUNT A locker room is a room in which there are a lot of lockers.
lock|et /lɒ k I t/ (lockets ) N‑COUNT A locket is a piece of jewellery containing something such as a picture, which a woman wears on a chain around her neck.
lo ck-keeper (lock-keepers ) N‑COUNT A lock-keeper is a person whose job is to be in charge of and maintain a lock or group of locks on a canal.
lo ck-out (lock-outs ) in AM, use lockout N‑COUNT A lock-out is a situation in which employers close a place of work and prevent workers from entering it until the workers accept the employer's new proposals on pay or conditions of work. [BUSINESS ]