permutation lock

Permutation \Per`mu*ta"tion\ (p[~e]r`m[-u]"t[=a]"sn[u^]n), n.
   [L. permutatio: cf. F. permutation. See {Permute}.]
   1. The act of permuting; exchange of the thing for another;
      mutual transference; interchange.
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            The violent convulsions and permutations that have
            been made in property.                --Burke.
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   2. (Math.)
      (a) The arrangement of any determinate number of things,
          as units, objects, letters, etc., in all possible
          orders, one after the other; -- called also
          {alternation}. Cf. {Combination}, n., 4.
      (b) Any one of such possible arrangements.
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   3. (Law) Barter; exchange.
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   {Permutation lock}, a lock in which the parts can be
      transposed or shifted, so as to require different
      arrangements of the tumblers on different occasions of
      unlocking.
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