night latch

noun

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

night latch

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of night latch¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

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.

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The doctor has failed to put on the night latch.

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It did not pass—it came directly up to the door, familiar as a burglar with its night latch key.

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It would be a night latch—to the ideal.

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

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