Latches
[lach] /lætʃ/
noun
1.
a device for holding a door, gate, or the like, closed, consisting basically of a bar falling or sliding into a catch, groove, hole, etc.
verb (used with object)
2.
to close or fasten with a latch.
verb (used without object)
3.
to close tightly so that the latch is secured:
The door won’t latch.
Verb phrases
4.
latch on,
5.
latch onto, Informal.
/lætʃ/
noun
1.
a fastening for a gate or door that consists of a bar that may be slid or lowered into a groove, hole, etc
2.
a spring-loaded door lock that can be opened by a key from outside
3.
(electronics) Also called latch circuit. a logic circuit that transfers the input states to the output states when signalled, the output thereafter remaining insensitive to changes in input status until signalled again
verb
4.
to fasten, fit, or be fitted with or as if with a latch
v.
Old English læccan “to grasp or seize,” from Proto-Germanic *lakkijanan. Not found in other Germanic languages; probably from PIE *(s)lagw- “to seize” (see analemma). In its original sense the verb was paralleled in Middle English and then replaced by French import catch (v.). Meaning “to fasten with a latch” is mid-15c. Related: Latched; latching.
n.
a fastening for a door, etc., late 13c., probably from latch (v.).
Read Also:
- Latchet
[lach-it] /ˈlætʃ ɪt/ noun, Archaic. 1. a strap or lace used to fasten a shoe. /ˈlætʃɪt/ noun 1. (archaic) a shoe fastening, such as a thong or lace a thong (Acts 22:25), cord, or strap fastening the sandal on the foot (Isa. 5:27; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16).
- Latch-hook
noun 1. a hand-held tool similar to a latch needle, used for drawing loops of yarn through canvas or similar material to make rugs and the like.
- Latchkey
[lach-kee] /ˈlætʃˌki/ noun, plural latchkeys. 1. a for releasing a or springlock, especially on an outer door. /ˈlætʃˌkiː/ noun 1. a key for an outside door or gate, esp one that lifts a latch 2. also latch-key, 1825, a key to draw back the latch of a door, from latch (n.) + key (n.1). Latchkey […]
- Latchkey-child
noun 1. a child who must spend at least part of the day alone and unsupervised, as when the parents are away at work. noun 1. a child who has to let himself or herself in at home on returning from school, as his or her parents are out at work noun phrase A child […]
- Latch-needle
noun 1. a part of a knitting machine consisting of a thin shaft with a hook on one end and a pivoting latch that closes over the hook so that yarn can be drawn through the developing knitting to make a stitch.