n. 1 an opening between two rooms, e.g. between a kitchen and a dining-room for serving food. 2 an opening or door in an aircraft, spacecraft, etc. 3 Naut. a = HATCHWAY. b a trapdoor or cover for this (often in pl.: batten the hatches). 4 a floodgate. down the hatch sl. (as a drinking toast) drink up, cheers! under hatches 1 below deck. 2 a down out of sight. b brought low; dead.
[ OE hcc f. Gmc ]