Latch \Latch\ (l[a^]ch), v. t. [Cf. F. l['e]cher to lick (of
   German origin). Cf. Lick.]
   To smear; to anoint. [Obs.] --Shak.
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	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.]
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	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.
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   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.
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   3. (Naut.) A latching.
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   4. A crossbow. [Obs.] --Wright.
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	Latch \Latch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Latched (l[a^]cht); p. pr.
   & vb. n. Latching.] [OE. lacchen. See Latch. n.]
   1. To catch so as to hold. [Obs.]
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            Those that remained threw darts at our men, and
            latching our darts, sent them again at us.
                                                  --Golding.
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   2. To catch or fasten by means of a latch.
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            The door was only latched.            --Locke.
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	latch
    n 1: spring-loaded doorlock that can only be opened from the
         outside with a key [syn: latch, door latch]
    2: catch for fastening a door or gate; a bar that can be lowered
       or slid into a groove
    v 1: fasten with a latch; "latch the door"

	

	70 Moby Thesaurus words for "latch":
   articulate, bang, bar, barricade, batten, batten down, bolt,
   buckle, butt, button, button up, choke, choke off, clap, clasp,
   cleat, clip, close, close up, constrict, contain, contract, cover,
   dovetail, fasten, fold, fold up, hasp, hinge, hitch, hook, jam,
   joint, key, lock, lock out, lock up, miter, mortise, nail, occlude,
   padlock, peg, pin, plumb, rabbet, rivet, scarf, screw, seal,
   seal off, seal up, secure, sew, shut, shut the door, shut up,
   skewer, slam, snap, squeeze shut, staple, stick, stitch, strangle,
   tack, toggle, wedge, zip up, zipper

	

	latch

   A digital logic circuit used to store one or more bits.  A
   latch has a data input, a clock input and an output.  When the
   clock input is active, data on the input is "latched" or
   stored and transfered to the output either immediately or when
   the clock input goes inactive.  The output will then retain
   its value until the clock goes active again.

   See also flip-flop.

   (1995-02-03)