I. hatch 1 /hætʃ/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Origin: Origin unknown ]
1 . ( also hatch out ) [intransitive and transitive] if an egg hatches, or if it is hatched, it breaks, letting the young bird, insect etc come out:
The eggs take three days to hatch.
2 . ( also hatch out ) [intransitive and transitive] if a young bird, insect etc hatches, or if it is hatched, it comes out of its egg:
All the chicks have hatched out.
3 . hatch a plot/plan/deal etc to form a plan etc in secret
II. hatch 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: hæc ]
1 . a hole in a ship or aircraft, usually used for loading goods, or the door that covers it
escape hatch (=a hole in an aircraft etc through which you can escape)
2 . ( also hatchway ) a small hole in the wall or floor between two rooms, or the door that covers it
3 . down the hatch spoken informal something you say before drinking an alcoholic drink quickly