Hypertext Webster Gateway: "padlock"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Padlock \Pad"lock`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Padlocked}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Padlocking}.]
To fasten with, or as with, a padlock; to stop; to shut; to
confine as by a padlock. --Milton. Tennyson.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Padlock \Pad"lock`\, n. [Perh. orig., a lock for a pad gate, or
a gate opening to a path, or perh., a lock for a basket or
pannier, and from Prov. E. pad a pannier. Cf. {Pad} a path,
{Paddler}.]
1. A portable lock with a bow which is usually jointed or
pivoted at one end so that it can be opened, the other end
being fastened by the bolt, -- used for fastening by
passing the bow through a staple over a hasp or through
the links of a chain, etc.
2. Fig.: A curb; a restraint.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
padlock
n : a detachable lock; has a hinged shackle that can be passed
through the staple of a hasp or the links in a chain and
then snapped shut
v : fasten with a padlock
Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents;
see the Webster Gateway FAQ,
and also the Back-end/database links and credits.