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serrure

lock (door mechanism)

noun seh-RÜR Rare
Home & Lifestyle Construction

Origin: Old French serrer 'to tighten, close', from Latin serare

Usage Note

Serrure is specifically the lock mechanism fitted to a door, while clé is the key that operates it. The person who installs or repairs locks is a serrurier. The phrase trou de serrure means 'keyhole', and regarder par le trou de serrure idiomatically means to spy on someone.

Examples

"La serrure est cassée, il faut la remplacer."

Natural Translation

The lock is broken; it needs to be replaced.

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