noun
A mechanical fastening for a door, gate, or lid; a simple sliding or hooking lock.
門の掛け金を外して中に入った。
I undid the latch on the gate and went inside.
この掛け金は少し固いので、油をさしたほうがいい。
This latch is a bit stiff, so you'd better oil it.
noun
jaw joint
Archaic anatomical term for the temporomandibular joint. Not used in modern medical or everyday Japanese.
古い文献では、あごの関節を「掛け金」と記すことがある。
In old documents, the jaw joint is sometimes written as 掛け金.
Compound of 掛け (kake, 'hanging' or 'hooking') + 金 (kane, 'metal'), referring to a metal latch. The reading かけがね is a rendaku form of かけ + かね.