latch 
(lăch)
(lăch)n.
1. A fastening, as for a door or gate, typically consisting of a bar that fits into a notch or slot and is lifted from either side by a lever or string.
2. A spring lock, as for a door, that is opened from the outside by a key.
v. latched, latch·ing, latch·es
v.tr.
To close or lock with a latch.
v.intr.
Idiom: 1. To have or be closed with a latch.
2. To shut tightly so that the latch is engaged: a door too warped to latch.
latch on to/onto
1. To get hold of; obtain: latched on to a fortune in the fur trade.
2. To cling to.
[Middle English latche, from lacchen, to seize, from Old English læccan.]
- lineation
- linebacker
- linebacking
- line breeding
- linecaster
- linecasting
- line cut
- line dance
- line dancer
- line drawing
- line drive
- line engraving
- Line Islands
- line item
- line-item veto
- lineman
- linen
- line of credit
- line officer
- line of force
- line of scrimmage
- line of sight
- lineolate
- line (one's) pockets
- line one's pockets