bolt bolt /ˈboʊlt/

adverb

1. () In a rigid manner  ( bolt , stiffly , rigidly )
   in a rigid manner
    The body was rigidly erect
   the body was rigidly erect
    He sat bolt upright
   he sat bolt upright
   
2. Directly  ( bolt , slap , slapdash , bang , smack [Informal] )
   directly
    He ran bang into the pole
   he ran bang into the pole
    Ran slap into her
   ran slap into her
   

noun

1. () A discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder  ( bolt of lightning , thunderbolt , bolt )
   a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
   
2. () The act of moving with great haste  ( dash , bolt )
   the act of moving with great haste
    He made a dash for the door
   he made a dash for the door
   
3. () The part of a lock that is engaged or withdrawn with a key  ( deadbolt , bolt )
   the part of a lock that is engaged or withdrawn with a key
    Don't forget to lock the bolt on the front door before you go to bed
   Don't forget to lock the bolt on the front door before you go to bed
   
   
4. () A sliding bar in a breech-loading firearm that ejects an empty cartridge and replaces it and closes the breech  ( bolt )
   a sliding bar in a breech-loading firearm that ejects an empty cartridge and replaces it and closes the breech
    The gun's bolt jammed, making it inoperable.
   The gun's bolt jammed, making it inoperable.
   
   
5. A sudden abandonment (as from a political party)  ( bolt )
   a sudden abandonment (as from a political party)
   
6. A screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener  ( bolt )
   a screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener
    He fastened the two pieces of wood together with a bolt and nut.
   He fastened the two pieces of wood together with a bolt and nut.
   
   
7. A roll of cloth or wallpaper of a definite length  ( bolt )
   a roll of cloth or wallpaper of a definite length
   

verb

1. () Secure or lock with a bolt  ( bolt )
   secure or lock with a bolt
    Bolt the door
   bolt the door
   
2. () Move or jump suddenly  ( bolt )
   move or jump suddenly
    She bolted from her seat
   She bolted from her seat
   
3. () Swallow hastily  ( bolt )
   swallow hastily
   
4. Make or roll into bolts  ( bolt )
   make or roll into bolts
    Bolt fabric
   bolt fabric
   
5. Eat hastily without proper chewing  ( bolt , gobble )
   eat hastily without proper chewing
    Don't bolt your food!
   Don't bolt your food!
   
6. Leave suddenly and as if in a hurry  ( beetle off , bolt , bolt out , run off , run out )
   leave suddenly and as if in a hurry
    The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas
   The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas
    When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out
   When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out
   
7. Run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along  ( abscond , absquatulate [ N. American] , bolt , decamp , go off , make off , run off , make away )
   run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
    The thief made off with our silver
   The thief made off with our silver
    The accountant absconded with the cash from the safe
   the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe