/lach/ , n.
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.
v.t.
2. to close or fasten with a latch.
v.i.
3. to close tightly so that the latch is secured: The door won't latch.
4. 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.
5. 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.
[ bef. 950; 1930-35 for def. 5; ME lacchen, OE laeccan to take hold of, catch, seize; akin to Gk lázesthai to take ]