1.  latch(n = noun.artifact) door latch - spring-loaded doorlock that can only be opened from the outside with a key;
is a kind of lock
Derived form verb latch₁

2.  latch(n = noun.artifact) - catch for fastening a door or gate; a bar that can be lowered or slid into a groove;
is a kind of catch
Derived form verb latch₁

   latch(v = verb.contact) - fasten with a latch; "latch the door"
is one way to fasten, fix, secure
Derived forms noun latch₂, noun latch₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

   To smear; to anoint. Shak. [1913 Webster]

1.  That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare. Rom. of R. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3.  A latching. [1913 Webster]

4.  A crossbow. Wright. [1913 Webster]

1.  To catch so as to hold. [1913 Webster]
"Those that remained threw darts at our men, and latching our darts, sent them again at us." [1913 Webster]

2.  To catch or fasten by means of a latch. [1913 Webster]
"The door was only latched." [1913 Webster]

latch, n. & v.
--n.
1 a bar with a catch and lever used as a fastening for a gate etc.
2 a spring-lock preventing a door from being opened from the outside without a key after being shut.
--v.tr. & intr. fasten or be fastened with a latch.

Idiom:
latch on (often foll. by to) colloq.
1 attach oneself (to).
2 understand. on the latch fastened by the latch only, not locked.

Etymology:
prob. f. (now dial.) latch (v.) seize f. OE l{aelig}ccan f. Gmc

VB  join, unite, conjoin, connect, associate, put together, lay together, clap together, hang together, lump together, hold together, piece together, tack together, fix together, bind up together together, embody, reembody, roll into one, attach, fix, affix, saddle on, fasten, bind, secure, clinch, twist, make fast, tie, pinion, string, strap, sew, lace, tat, stitch, tack, knit, button, buckle, hitch, lash, truss, bandage, braid, splice, swathe, gird, tether, moor, picket, harness, chain, fetter, lock, latch, belay, brace, hook, grapple, leash, couple, accouple, link, yoke, bracket, marry, bridge over, span, braze, pin, nail, bolt, hasp, clasp, clamp, crimp, screw, rivet, impact, solder, set, weld together, fuse together, wedge, rabbet, mortise, miter, jam, dovetail, enchase, graft, ingraft, inosculate, entwine, intwine, interlink, interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, entangle, twine round, belay, tighten, trice up, screw up, be joined, hang together, hold together, cohere.

N  connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.

door latch, hood latch, latch on, night latch