Definition of latch

The word "latch" originates from the Old French "latche," which in turn came from the Latin word " legitimus," meaning "lawful" or "rightful." In medieval times, a latch was a device used to secure a door, and it was often referred to as a "rightful fastener" or "lawful bolt," as it was seen as a legal and legitimized way to keep a space private or secure. This meaning evolved over time, and today, a latch is a simple mechanism used to hold a door closed without the use of a key or lock. Its origins in law and legitimacy may be behind the associations people have with words like "secure" and "safe" when describing latch doors.