hydrostatic lock

== English == === Noun === hydrostatic lock (countable and uncountable, plural hydrostatic locks) (mechanical engineering, usually uncountable) A condition that arises when a device which compresses gases seizes up because of the infiltration of liquid, which prevents further compression. (countable) A lock for raising and lowering boats on a canal or waterway that operates by using pressurized water to flood or drain the level inside the lock. (countable) A locking mechanism that uses hydrostatic pressure in order to achieve a seal. === Verb === hydrostatic lock (third-person singular simple present hydrostatic locks, present participle hydrostatic locking, simple past and past participle hydrostatic locked) To seize up because liquid has infiltrated a mechanism for compressing gasses. To form a seal by employing a mechanism that uses hydrostatic pressure. === Derived terms === === Related terms ===