latch
latch /l'ætʃ/ (latches latching latched)
1 [N-COUNT]
A latch is a fastening on a door or gate. It consists of a metal bar which you lift in order to open the door.
You left the latch off the gate and the dog escaped.
2 [N-COUNT]
A latch is a lock on a door which locks automatically when you shut the door, so that you need a key in order to open it from the outside.
...a key clicked in the latch of the front door.
3 [VERB] V n
If you latch a door or gate, you fasten it by means of a latch.
He latched the door, tested it, and turned around to speak to Frank.latch onto
or latch on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If someone latches onto a person or an idea or latches on, they become very interested in the person or idea, often finding them so useful that they do not want to leave them. (INFORMAL)
Rob had latched onto me. He followed me around, sat beside me at lunch, and usually ended up working with me...
Other trades have been quick to latch on.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, also V P
If one thing latches onto another, or if it latches on, it attaches itself to it and becomes part of it.
These are substances which specifically latch onto the protein on the cell membrane.
1 [N-COUNT]
A latch is a fastening on a door or gate. It consists of a metal bar which you lift in order to open the door.
You left the latch off the gate and the dog escaped.
2 [N-COUNT]
A latch is a lock on a door which locks automatically when you shut the door, so that you need a key in order to open it from the outside.
...a key clicked in the latch of the front door.
3 [VERB] V n
If you latch a door or gate, you fasten it by means of a latch.
He latched the door, tested it, and turned around to speak to Frank.latch onto
or latch on
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If someone latches onto a person or an idea or latches on, they become very interested in the person or idea, often finding them so useful that they do not want to leave them. (INFORMAL)
Rob had latched onto me. He followed me around, sat beside me at lunch, and usually ended up working with me...
Other trades have been quick to latch on.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, also V P
If one thing latches onto another, or if it latches on, it attaches itself to it and becomes part of it.
These are substances which specifically latch onto the protein on the cell membrane.