Usage Note
Verrou is the sliding bolt you slide across a door, distinct from a serrure (lock with a key). The phrase mettre le verrou means to bolt the door, and sous les verrous (behind bolts) means 'behind bars', i.e. in prison. The plural is verrous.
Examples
"Il a mis le verrou avant de dormir."
Natural Translation
He bolted the door before sleeping.
Literal Translation
He put the bolt before sleeping.
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