latch on

- 1 dictionary result

latch

[lach]

–noun

1.	a device for holding a door, gate, or the like, closed, consisting basically of a bar falling or sliding into a catch, groove, hole, etc.

–verb (used with object)

2.	to close or fasten with a latch.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to close tightly so that the latch is secured: The door won't latch.

—Verb phrases

latch on,

a.	to grab or hold on, as to an object or idea, esp. tightly or tenaciously.

b.	to include or add in; attach: If we latch the tax on, the bill will come to over $100.

latch onto, Informal.

a.	to take possession of; obtain; get.

b.	to acquire understanding of; comprehend.

c.	to attach oneself to; join in with: The stray dog latched onto the children and wouldn't go home.

Origin:
bef. 950; 1930–35 for def. 5; ME lacchen, OE lǣccan to take hold of, catch, seize; akin to Gk lázesthai to take

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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