Hypertext Webster Gateway: "latch"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Latch \Latch\, v. t. [Cf. F. l['e]cher to lick (of German
origin). Cf. {Lick}.]
To smear; to anoint. [Obs.] --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Latch \Latch\, n. [OE. lacche, fr. lacchen to seize, As.
l[ae]ccan.]
1. That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare. [Obs.]
--Rom. of R.
2. A movable piece which holds anything in place by entering
a notch or cavity; specifically, the catch which holds a
door or gate when closed, though it be not bolted.
3. (Naut.) A latching.
4. A crossbow. [Obs.] --Wright.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Latch \Latch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Latched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Latching}.] [OE. lacchen. See {Latch}. n.]
1. To catch so as to hold. [Obs.]
Those that remained threw darts at our men, and
latching our darts, sent them again at us.
--Golding.
2. To catch or fasten by means of a latch.
The door was only latched. --Locke.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Latching \Latch"ing\, n. (Naut.)
A loop or eye formed on the head rope of a bonnet, by which
it is attached to the foot of a sail; -- called also {latch}
and {lasket}. [Usually in pl.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
latch
n 1: spring-loaded doorlock that can only be opened from the
outside with a key [syn: {door latch}]
2: catch for fastening a door or gate; a bar that can be
lowered or slid into a groove
v : fasten with a latch
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