latch
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
latches
plural
latches
Britannica Dictionary definition of LATCH
[count]
1
:
a device that holds a door, gate, or window closed and that consists of a bar that falls into a holder when it is closed and that is lifted when it is open
-
He lifted the latch and opened the gate.
2
chiefly British
:
a type of door lock that can be opened from the inside by turning a lever or knob but can only be opened from the outside with a key
-
I heard her key turn/click in the latch.
on the latch
British, of a door
:
closed but not locked
-
I left the front door on the latch so that she could get in.
2
latch
/ˈlætʃ/
verb
latches;
latched;
latching
2
latch
/ˈlætʃ/
verb
latches;
latched;
latching
Britannica Dictionary definition of LATCH
[+ object]
:
to close or fasten (something, such as a door) with a latch
—
compare 3latch
3
latch
/ˈlætʃ/
verb
latches;
latched;
latching
3
latch
/ˈlætʃ/
verb
latches;
latched;
latching
Britannica Dictionary definition of LATCH
latch on
[phrasal verb] informal
1
British
:
to begin to understand something
-
What he was saying was complicated, so it took me a while to latch on. [=catch on]
2
latch on to (something)
or
latch onto (something)
a
:
to grab and hold (something)
— often used figuratively
-
He latched onto her arm and wouldn't let go.
-
The news media has latched on to the scandal.
b
:
to begin using or doing (something) in an enthusiastic way
:
to choose (something) in an enthusiastic way
-
Many companies have latched onto [=adopted] the trend of using consultants.
-
He latched onto music as a way to relax.
3
latch on to (someone or something)
or
latch onto (someone or something)
:
to stay close to (someone or something)
-
Soon after she got to the party, some strange man latched on to her [=started talking to her] and wouldn't go away.
—
compare 2latch
