latch

[ lach ]

/ lætʃ /

noun

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)

to close or fasten with a latch.

verb (used without object)

to close tightly so that the latch is secured: The door won't latch.

Verb Phrases

latch on,

to grab or hold on, as to an object or idea, especially tightly or tenaciously.
to include or add in; attach: If we latch the tax on, the bill will come to over $100.

latch onto, Informal.

to take possession of; obtain; get.
to acquire understanding of; comprehend.
to attach oneself to; join in with: The stray dog latched onto the children and wouldn't go home.

Origin of latch

before 950; 1930–35 for def 5; Middle English lacchen, Old English lǣccan to take hold of, catch, seize; akin to Greek lázesthai to take

OTHER WORDS FROM latch

re·latch, verb (used with object)

Words nearby latch

lat, lat., latah, latakia, latam, latch, latch hook, latch needle, latch on, latch onto, latchet

Example sentences from the Web for latch

“If a reclining seat fails to latch properly it has to be taken out of service,” says Mann, costing the airline even more.

Solution to Seat Rage: No More Reclining |Will Doig |September 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It takes a long time for the entertainment community to latch on to a hot new trend.

Silicon Valley Thinks You’re a Fool |Daniel Gross |April 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Since its release last fall, the music video for “Latch” has already amassed over 15 million views on YouTube.

Disclosure Delves Back to U.K. Garage Roots in ‘Settle’ Album Release |Jean Trinh |June 4, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Which is necessary because the characters he encounters on his journey are often way too kooky—and, well, Guest-ian—to latch onto.

‘Family Tree’ Brings Christopher Guest’s Mockumentary Style to HBO |Jace Lacob |May 8, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Instead, we latch onto the number and use that as a symbol of everything else.

Is the GDP Report Really Important? |Zachary Karabell |July 27, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
With my stick through the hole, I had up the latch, and pushed the door open.

The Voodoo Gold Trail |Walter Walden
Enoch took hold of the latch carelessly, and then with more determination, as the door failed to open.

The Boy Spies of Philadelphia |James Otis
Whether it was the latch of her room, or another of the bedrooms on this floor of the bungalow, Ruth could not tell.

Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point |Alice B. Emerson
But while his hand was on the latch, he again paused; how should he obtain admission to Darrell?

What Will He Do With It, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Latch, lach, n. a small piece of wood or iron to fasten a door.

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) |Various

British Dictionary definitions for latch

latch

/ (lætʃ) /

noun

a fastening for a gate or door that consists of a bar that may be slid or lowered into a groove, hole, etc

a spring-loaded door lock that can be opened by a key from outside

Also called: latch circuit electronics 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

to fasten, fit, or be fitted with or as if with a latch

Word Origin for latch

Old English læccan to seize, of Germanic origin; related to Greek lazesthai

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

latch

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of latch

OTHER WORDS FROM latch

Words nearby latch

Example sentences from the Web for latch

British Dictionary definitions for latch

noun

verb

Word Origin for latch

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

latch

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of latch

OTHER WORDS FROM latch

Words nearby latch

Words related to latch

Example sentences from the Web for latch

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for latch

noun

verb

Word Origin for latch

British Dictionary definitions for latch