night latch

American  

noun

1. a door lock operated from the inside by a knob and from the outside by a key.

---

night latch British  

noun

1. a door lock that is operated by means of a knob on the inside and a key on the outside

---

Etymology

Origin of night latch

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Bramuglia hastily called the principals into his suite at the plush Hotel George V, locked the door, and turned the night latch.

From Time Magazine Archive

The boy put Sounder’s tin under the porch, closed the door, pushed the night latch, sat down behind the stove, and began to eat his supper.

From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong

His steady hand with the key made short work of the night latch, and without waiting to call a servant he helped Mr. Endicott up to his room and to his bed.

From Lo, Michael! by Hill, Grace Livingston

The old lawyer drew the wire, and the night latch allowed the butler to rush in.

From The Dark House A Knot Unravelled by Fenn, George Manville

Noiselessly she removed the night latch and slipped into the vestibule.

From I Spy by Lincoln, Natalie Sumner