belock

present singular third person belocks · participle present belocking · participle past belocked · past belocked

1. archaictransitiveTo lock up or lock in place; hold tight; fasten.

   This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract, was fast belocked in thine.

   c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)

   2 more examples

   The brawny mariner belocks the line / Within his horny palm, and to the rude / Timeing of a tuneless lay, the frolic sail / Quickly upclews, and wraps it to the yard.

   1814, H. Finn, “The Cathedral”, in The Lady's Monthly Museum

   After this manner he reached an eminence called the Allanowr in the vicinity of Strone, and here he observed two figures, reclining in listless langour on the moss; on advancing a little farther he recognised the features of his chieftain's son, his hands belocked in those of a female who was soothing him "as his drooped head sank gradually low!"

   1843, James Grassie, Legends of the highlands of Scotland, page 50

   Synonyms: clasp, grasp, grip