lock-on
nounEtymology Deverbal from lock on.
1
A technique used by protesters to make it difficult to remove them from their place of protest, involving a human chain with linked arms, or sometimes the use of special hardware.
lock on
verbalso spelled lock-onUK /ˌlɒk ˈɒn/ · US /ˌlɑk ˈɑn/
1
To begin tracking a target via an automated system.
- When the triangle came into view, the robot would then 'lock on' and move directly towards it, adjusting its course as it went.1997, Phil Husbands, Inman Harvey, Fourth European Conference on Artificial Life, page 356:
- Glasgow's Sea Darts failed to lock on to the attackers, but the Sea Wolfs from Brilliant shot down one Skyhawk while another attacker crashed while trying to evade the missiles.2013, Jim Keys, Fighting Brits, page 255:
2
To cause a missile to track (a target).
3
To engage in a lock-on protest.