Nearby words
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
Related forms
re·latch, verb (used with object)Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for latch on (1 of 2)
latch on
verb (intr, adverb often foll by to) informal
to attach oneself (to)to latch on to a new acquaintance
to understandhe suddenly latched on to what they were up to
US and Canadian to obtain; get
British Dictionary definitions for latch on (2 of 2)
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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