Latch

Pronunciation

• enPR: lăch, IPA: /lætʃ/
• Rhymes: -ætʃ

Middle English latche ("a latch"), from lacchen ("to seize"), from Old English læċċan ("to grasp, take hold of, catch, seize"), from Proto-Germanic *lakjaną, *lakwijaną, *lakkijaną ("to seize"), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)lag-, *(s)lagw- ("to take, seize").

Full definition of latch

Noun

1. A fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side.
• 1912: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, Chapter 4The cleverly constructed latch which Clayton had made for the door had sprung as Kerchak passed out; nor could the apes find means of ingress through the heavily barred windows.
2. A flip-flop electronic circuit
3. (obsolete) A latching.
4. (obsolete) A crossbow.
5. (obsolete) That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare.

Derived terms

• on the latch

Verb

1. To close or lock as if with a latch
2. To catch; lay hold of
• Where hearing should not latch them. — Shakespeare, MacBeth, Act IV

Derived terms

• latch on
• latch on to
• latch onto

Compare French lécher ("to lick").

Verb

1. (obsolete) To smear; to anoint.