noun
Formal or literary term for shutting, closing, locking, or fastening something. Often used for doors, gates, or containers. Cross-referenced with 差す sense 15, which may indicate a related usage.
See also: 差す
門を鎖して、誰も入れないようにした。
They locked the gate so that no one could enter.
彼は日記を机の引き出しに鎖した。
He locked his diary in the desk drawer.
差す has many meanings including 'to insert', 'to hold up', 'to shine', etc. Sense 15 of 差す is cross-referenced, possibly indicating a shared etymological or semantic link, but 鎖す is specifically for shutting/locking.
The kanji 鎖 means 'chain' or 'lock', and the reading さす is likely related to the verb 差す (to insert, to put in), suggesting the idea of inserting a lock or bar to secure something. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.