Word Direct Answers

What does "tumbler" mean?

Tumbler: A movable obstruction in a lock, consisting of a lever, latch, wheel, slide, or the like, which must be adjusted to a particular position by a key or other means before the bolt can be thrown in locking or unlocking.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Firearms) A piece attached to, or forming part of, the hammer of a gunlock, upon which the mainspring acts and in which are the notches for sear point to enter.
  2. 3.A drinking glass, without a foot or stem; -- so called because originally it had a pointed or convex base, and could not be set down with any liquor in it, thus compelling the drinker to finish his measure.
  3. 4.(Zoöl.) A variety of the domestic pigeon remarkable for its habit of tumbling, or turning somersaults, during its flight.
  4. 5.(Zoöl.) A breed of dogs that tumble when pursuing game. They were formerly used in hunting rabbits.
  5. 6.A kind of cart; a tumbrel. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

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