Unlock

//ʌnˈlɑk// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The act of unlocking something.

    "Unlike modern, automated prisons, each cell here was locked and unlocked manually with a large skeleton key. The first duty was to get a proper head count of each inmate, insuring each was alive. Once done, an unlock was conducted."

  2. 2
    An initially hidden feature that is made available to reward the player for some achievement.

    "The other unlocks, like a grenade launcher or a sniper's steady ability, didn't fit into my playstyle."

Verb
  1. 1
    To undo or open a lock or something locked by, for example, turning a key, or selecting a combination. transitive

    "I unlocked the door and walked in."

  2. 2
    become unlocked wordnet
  3. 3
    To obtain access to something; to meet the requirements of a security or protection system. transitive

    "I unlocked the dictionary article so I could edit it."

  4. 4
    open the lock of wordnet
  5. 5
    To configure (a mobile phone) so that it is not bound to any particular carrier. transitive
Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    set free or release wordnet
  2. 7
    To disclose or reveal previously unknown knowledge or potential. transitive

    "The discovery of a clue unlocked the mystery."

  3. 8
    To be or become unfastened or unrestrained. intransitive

    "He had come straight up without mishap or swerving off his course, and his shut teeth unlocked."

  4. 9
    To make available. figuratively, transitive

    "He also warned of the supply chain issues, stating: "Don't pretend you're going to unlock half a dozen [electrification] schemes simultaneously because you'll probably flood the supply chain, we don't have the capacity.""

  5. 10
    To undermine something that has control over a situation; to find a way to counter or oppose. transitive

    "Saka's cross unlocked a well-organised Ukraine defence for Kane to pounce and set England on their way before producing a superb piece of individual skill to effectively end the contest."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English unloken, unlouken, onlouken, from Old English onlūcan (“to unlock”), equivalent to un- + lock. Cognate with Dutch ontluiken (“to unlock”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English unloken, unlouken, onlouken, from Old English onlūcan (“to unlock”), equivalent to un- + lock. Cognate with Dutch ontluiken (“to unlock”).

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