relockv.
/riːˈlɒk/, U.S. /riˈlɑk/ transitive. To lock again.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close (a door, window, etc.) > bolt, bar, or lock > lock again
relock1784
1784 R. Bage Barham Downs I. 288 A man entered in the dark, relocked the door, seized poor Kitty, and bore her back to the bed.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. i. 24 He concluded with a laugh of derision, and was re-locking the door.
1832 J. S. Knowles Magdalen 147 ‘It shall be done,’ said Therese, relocking the trunk.
1870 M. Bridgman Robert Lynne I. xvi. 282 He..relocked the desk.
1920 A. Christie Mysterious Affair at Styles iv. 64 He opened the box, but after a moment's hesitation, closed and relocked it.
1964 Western Folklore 23 41 After unfolding and reading it, he would return it to its accustomed place and relock the drawer.
2008 Wisconsin State Jrnl. (Nexis) 16 June b1 The city has locked, reopened, and on April 24, relocked a small parking lot that has attracted loiterers.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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