bolt: [OE] In Old English, a bolt was an arrow, particularly of the short stout variety used in crossbows (hence the phrase shoot one’s bolt). The more familiar modern sense ‘fastening pin’ developed in the 13th century. The verbal sense ‘make a quick escape’ comes from the notion of firing a projectile. The word appears in other Germanic languages (for instance German bolz ‘bolt’), but its ultimate origin is unknown.
bolt (n.)
Old English bolt "short, stout arrow with a heavy head;" also "crossbow for throwing bolts," from Proto-Germanic *bultas (cognates: Old Norse bolti, Danish bolt, Dutch bout, German Bolzen), perhaps from PIE root *bheld- "to knock, strike" (cognates: Lithuanian beldu "I knock," baldas "pole for striking").
Applied since Middle English to other short metal rods (especially those with knobbed ends). From the notion of an arrow's flight comes the lightning bolt (1530s). A bolt of canvas (c. 1400) was so called for its shape. Adverbial phrase bolt upright is from late 14c.
bolt (v.)
from bolt (n.) in its various senses; from a crossbow arrow's quick flight comes the meaning "to spring, to make a quick start" (early 13c.). Via the notion of runaway horses, this came to mean "to leave suddenly" (early 19c.). Meaning "to gulp down food" is from 1794. The meaning "to secure by means of a bolt" is from 1580s. Related: Bolted; bolting.
双语例句
1. Suddenly a bolt of lightning crackled through the sky.
突然一道闪电划破长空。
来自柯林斯例句
2. If the soil dries out the plants may bolt.
如果土壤过干，植株可能会过早结实。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Loosen the bolt so the bars can be turned.
松一松插销，好转动门闩。
来自柯林斯例句
4. I bored a hole so that the fixing bolt would pass through.