unlock
verb
- detach, open
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ʌnˈlɒk/ / /ʌnˈlɔk/ / /ʊnˈlɒk/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English unloken, unlouken, onlouken, from Old English onlūcan (“to unlock”), equivalent to un- + lock. Cognate with Dutch ontluiken (“to unlock”).
- 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.”
“The instructions between a lock and an unlock form a critical section.”
- 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
Etymology: From Middle English unloken, unlouken, onlouken, from Old English onlūcan (“to unlock”), equivalent to un- + lock. Cognate with Dutch ontluiken (“to unlock”).
- To undo or open a lock or something locked by, for example, turning a key, or selecting a combination.
“I unlocked the door and walked in.”
- To obtain access to something; to meet the requirements of a security or protection system.
“I unlocked the dictionary article so I could edit it.”
“This computer game is shareware, but you can pay for a code to unlock the full version.”
- To configure (a mobile phone) so that it is not bound to any particular carrier.
- To disclose or reveal previously unknown knowledge or potential.
“The discovery of a clue unlocked the mystery.”
“Twitter has extraordinary potential. I will unlock it.”
- To be or become unfastened or unrestrained.
“He had come straight up without mishap or swerving off his course, and his shut teeth unlocked.”
- To make available.
“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."”
- To undermine something that has control over a situation; to find a way to counter or oppose.
“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.”