spring lock

A lock in which the bolt shoots automatically by means of a spring.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

spring lock

(Mechanical Engineering) a type of lock having a spring-loaded bolt, a key being required only to unlock it

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

It was a spring lock. On the inside there was no knob, nor any kind of projection--a smooth surface of iron.

View in context

Slipping the spring lock, Norman of Torn entered the apartment followed closely by his henchmen.

View in context

Examining the manacles I saw that they fastened with a massive spring lock.

View in context

(these are the country rates) entitles him to the benefit of the improvements of centuries, spacious apartments, clean paint and paper, Rumford fire-place, back plastering, Venetian blinds, copper pump, spring lock, a commodious cellar, and many other things.

View in context

Also featured is a rotating top-ring and spring lock buckled strap.

Fashion friendly

An Alliance Air spokesperson claimed that the spring lock of the panel had come loose and there was no risk of the panel falling off and hurting the passengers.

Ceiling panel detaches during Alliance Air flight

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.