overlock

English

A machine overlock stitch.

Etymology

From over- +‎ lock.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈəʊvəˌlɒk/
• Hyphenation: over‧lock

Noun

overlock (plural overlocks)

1. (sewing) A stitch that sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming or seaming.

Verb

overlock (third-person singular simple present overlocks, present participle overlocking, simple past and past participle overlocked)

1. (sewing) To stitch in this manner.
2. (transitive) To make the bolt of a lock go too far.
   • 1857, Thomas Stewart Traill, The Encyclopaedia Britannica:

     The way to open it, then, is to turn the key the other way, as if to overlock the bolt […]

Synonyms

• merrow
• overedge
• serge