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

See Examples For:

night latch

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

The doctor has failed to put on the night latch.

From The Story of a Doctor's Telephone?Told by His Wife by Ellen M. Firebaugh

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

From Hot corn: Life Scenes in New York Illustrated by Solon Robinson

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

From The Dark House A Knot Unravelled by George Manville Fenn