overlock, v.
(əʊvəˈlɒk)
[over- 1, 24.]
trans. a. To interlock or intertwine above; to cover with intertwined growth. b. To turn (the bolt of a lock) beyond the point at which it is locked.
| 1632 Lithgow Trav. ix. 415, I found the..Vines ouer locking the trees. 1882 Sir E. Beckett in Encycl. Brit. XIV. 746/2 The way to open it then is to turn the key the other way, as if to overlock the bolt. Ibid., It is set right by overlocking the bolt as before. |
c. trans. and intr. To secure (the edge of cloth) so as to strengthen it and to prevent fraying; also, to oversew (by machine). Usu. as ˈoverlocking vbl. n.
| 1901–2 T. Eaton & Co. Catal. Fall & Winter 64/2 Men's fine imported natural wool night robes, made with collar attached,..overlocked seams, [etc.]. 1909 Public Ledger (Philadelphia) 24 June 5/2 Fishnet Lace Curtains, overlocked edge. 1921 Dict. Occup. Terms (1927) §376 Overlocking machinist,..stitches round scolloped edge of finished lace curtain with overlocking machine. 1960 Textile Terms & Definitions (Textile Inst.) (ed. 4) 106 Overlocking,..effecting the joining of two or more pieces of fabric by means of an double or treble chain stitch... This operation is performed on overseaming machines. 1973 Guardian 12 Mar. 9/4 Most of the women work in..linking, cutting, and overlocking. 1976 Leicester Trader 24 Nov. 17/2 (Advt.), Klynton Davis require experienced employees with the following skills: lockstitching, overlocking, welting, [etc.]. 1978 People's Friend 13 May 24/2 (Advt.), Every detail is perfect—like the needle overlocking technique that ensures incredible strength at the seams. |