lock-step

lock-step
lock-step (n.) 1802, in military writing, for a very tight style of mass marching, from LOCK (Cf. lock) (n.) + STEP (Cf. step) (n.).
Lock-step. A mode of marching by a body of men going one after another as closely as possible, in which the leg of each moves at the same time with and closely follows the corresponding leg of the person directly before him. [Thomas Wilhelm, "Military Dictionary and Gazetteer," Philadelphia, 1881]
Figurative use by 1836.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lock step — 1. A mode of marching by a body of men going one after another as closely as possible, in which the leg of each moves at the same time with the corresponding leg of the person before him. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence: (fig.) The slavish copying of on …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lock step — n. a way of marching in such close file that the corresponding legs of the marchers must keep step precisely * * * …   Universalium

  • lock step — n. a way of marching in such close file that the corresponding legs of the marchers must keep step precisely …   English World dictionary

  • lock|step — «LOK STEHP», noun, adjective. –n. 1. a way of marching in step very close together, with the legs of each person nearly touching those of the person in front and back. 2. Figurative. a rigid pattern or arrangement: »When Manning came to Stanford… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lock step — /lɒk ˈstɛp/ (say lok step) noun 1. the step of those in very close single file which is such that the leg of each person moves in the same way and at the same time as the leg of the person immediately behind and the leg of the person immediately… …  

  • Lock Step (dance move) — Lock Step refers to any of dance steps which involve the locking of the moving foot: the moving foot approaches to the standing foot, crosses in front of or behind it in the direction of the approach, stops close to the standing foot, and the… …   Wikipedia

  • lock step — marching style in which soldiers are very close to one another so that each soldier s steps correspond exactly to the those of the soldier preceding him; any rigid or inflexible procedure …   English contemporary dictionary

  • lock·step — /ˈlɑːkˌstɛp/ noun [noncount] : a way of marching in which people follow each other very closely in lockstep chiefly US : in a way that very closely matches someone or something else Drug use and crime grew in lockstep. [=they grew at the same… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lock — 1. n. & v. n. 1 a mechanism for fastening a door, lid, etc., with a bolt that requires a key of a particular shape, or a combination of movements (see combination lock), to work it. 2 a confined section of a canal or river where the level can be… …   Useful english dictionary

  • step — Synonyms and related words: abdicate, accelerate, accomplished fact, accomplishment, according to, ace, achievement, act, acta, action, activity, ad hoc measure, adventure, amble, ambulate, amount, ankle, answer, appraise, appreciate, approach,… …   Moby Thesaurus

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”