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latch

[ lach ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.
a breastfeeding baby’s attachment or connection to the mother’s breast:
A good, deep latch is important because it allows the infant to get enough milk.

verb (used with object)

to close or fasten with a latch.
to attach (a breastfeeding baby) to the breast:
You should know how to properly latch your newborn.

verb (used without object)

to close tightly so that the latch is secured:
The door won't latch.
(of a breastfeeding baby) to be or become attached to the breast:
Failure to latch can be the result of poor positioning of the baby.

verb phrase

Informal.
1. to take possession of; obtain; get.
2. to acquire understanding of; comprehend.
3. to attach oneself to; join in with:
  The stray dog latched onto the children and wouldn't go home.
1. to grab or hold on, as to an object or idea, especially tightly or tenaciously.
2. to include or add in; attach:
  If we latch the tax on, the bill will come to over $100.

latch

/ ��æ��ʃ /

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 calledlatch 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

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Other Word Forms

��·��ٳ�� verb (used with object)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of latch¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English lacchen, Old English ��ǣ�� “to take hold of, catch, seize”; akin to Greek ��á��ٳ󲹾� “to take”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of latch¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The pick was the first from Kildunne who latched onto a looping ball out wide from Harrison to cross in the corner.

From

Six years later, Ritter’s muse finally latched onto that wisp of a notion and it is now a full-blown “hall of distorted mirrors” thriller called “Retreat.”

From

“He started backing up and his lever came down and basically he was just backing up trying to latch onto our car.”

From

The recall centres on latches that may not engage properly, which could lead to the doors on Grenadier SUVs opening while being driven "increasing the risk of injury to passengers inside the vehicle."

From

Hefty latches lock shut the big book’s pages, the final word on matters spiritual having been recorded for eternity.

From

Latam latchet

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