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Glite Dictionary
love-lock

love-lock

8.4
A padlock attached to a place like a bridge by a couple to show their lasting love
  • noun
  • /ˈlʌv lɒk/
translation icon : candado del amor
  • Couples frequently attach a love-lock to the bridge before tossing the key into the river.

Examples

  • Last summer, we engraved our names on a love-lock and left it in Paris.

  • Many cities have banned the placement of a love-lock due to concerns about the weight on historic bridges.

  • They attached a love-lock to the bridge.

  • Many couples buy love-locks to symbolize their commitment.

  • Couples often attach a love-lock to the bridge as a symbol of their enduring love.

  • We secured a love-lock on the railing and threw the key into the river to represent our love.

  • A love-lock with our initials hangs on the fence, reminding us of our special bond.

Synonyms

heart-shaped love-lock
vslove-lock
6.0

A small metal lock shaped like a heart that couples attach to bridges

is a padlock fixed to public structures to symbolize lasting romantic commitment

Surface Forms

love-lock singular
love-locks plural

Morphology

love-lock = love + lock (transparent) = love + lock

A direct, literal compound of 'love' + 'lock' whose meaning (a lock symbolizing romantic attachment) follows straightforwardly from its parts.

Etymology

Love-lock is a modern compound of love ('strong affection') and lock ('a device that fastens', like a door lock), and it literally means a small padlock people attach to a bridge or fence to show a couple's lasting love.