Alcolocks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A device that requires a person to blow into it to measure blood alcohol content before starting a vehicle
2. These instruments are often used in rehabilitation programs or by authorities to ensure safe driving
3. They serve as both a deterrent and a safety mechanism to prevent impaired driving by individuals with a history of alcohol offenses

Etymology: "Alcolocks" is the plural of "alcolock", a device that prevents a vehicle from starting unless the driver breathes into a sensor and shows a sufficiently low blood alcohol level. The name is a blend of "alcohol" and "lock", two existing English words fused into one new compound. The first part names the substance the device detects, and the second describes what it does: it locks the ignition until the test is passed. The construction follows a familiar pattern in modern English, where blends such as "smog" (smoke and fog) and "motel" (motor and hotel) combine two words into one short coinage. Because the word is formed directly from its two parts, its meaning is transparent: an alcohol lock is a lock tied to alcohol.

Synonyms: ignition interlocks, breathalyzers