1a metal bar with a catch and lever used for fastening a door or gate:lifting the latch, she pushed the gate open
a spring lock for an outer door, which catches when the door is closed and can only be opened from the outside with a key.
2 Electronics a circuit which retains whatever output state results from a momentary input signal until reset by another signal.
ზმნა
Universal
1fasten (a door or gate) with a latch:she latched the door carefully
2 [no object] Electronics (of a device) become fixed in a particular state:the output relay can be set to latch at a preset value
on the latch
British (of a door or gate) closed but not locked:let yourself in, the door’s on the latch
latch on
(of a breastfeeding baby) get its mouth into the correct position around the nipple:Jamie wasn’t latching on properly, and my nipple got sorer and sorer
latch on to
informal
1attach oneself to (someone) as a constant and usually unwelcome companion:he spent the whole evening trying to latch on to my friends
take up (an idea or trend) enthusiastically:the newspapers latched on to the idea of healthy eating
British (of a football or rugby player) take advantage of (another player’s move) when attacking:Nevin latched on to a miscued header to smash home the winning goal
(of one substance) cohere with (another):the DNA chain latches on to its counterpart
2understand the meaning of (something): [with clause]:she’ll soon latch on to what is happening
