dead|lock

dead|lock «DEHD _LOK», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a condition or situation in which activity between two opposing sides stops because they are equally strong and neither one will give in; complete standstill: »

Employers and strikers had reached a deadlock in their dispute over higher wages.

2. U.S. a tied score in a game: »

Pennsylvania produced the first of the game's two deadlocks at 5:26 of the second quarter (New York Times).

3. a very strong, springless lock with a bolt opened by a key or by turning a knob: »

Lock him out with a Yale…deadlock (Punch).

–v.t., v.i.

1. to bring or come to a complete standstill: »

The employer and strikers have been deadlocked for almost a week. Both disputants denied any part in deadlocking the collective bargaining process (Wall Street Journal). Yale and Harvard had deadlocked for the team title (New York Times).

2. to lock with a deadlock: »

Both handle and bolt are automatically deadlocked against turning (Punch).