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latchkey — also latch key, 1825, a key to draw back the latch of a door, from LATCH (Cf. latch) (n.) + KEY (Cf. key) (n.1). Latchkey child first recorded 1944, American English, in reference to children who come home from school while both parents are at… … Etymology dictionary
Latchkey — Latch key , n. A key used to raise, or throw back, the latch of a door, esp. a night latch. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
latchkey — ► NOUN (pl. latchkeys) ▪ a key of an outer door of a house … English terms dictionary
latchkey — [lach′kē΄] n. a key for drawing back or unfastening the latch of a door, esp. of an outer door, from the outside adj. [from the door key carried by such a child] designating, of, or having to do with a child or children who receive no supervision … English World dictionary
latchkey — UK [ˈlætʃˌkiː] / US [ˈlætʃˌkɪ] noun [countable] Word forms latchkey : singular latchkey plural latchkeys the key for opening the lock of an outer door from the outside … English dictionary
latchkey — latch|key [ˈlætʃki:] n 1.) a key that opens a lock on an outside door of a house or apartment 2.) latchkey kid old fashioned a child whose parents both work and who spends time alone in the house after school … Dictionary of contemporary English
latchkey — [[t]læ̱tʃkiː[/t]] also latch key ADJ: ADJ n (disapproval) If you refer to a child as a latchkey kid, you disapprove of the fact that they have to let themselves into their home when returning from school because their parents are out at work … English dictionary
latchkey — (of a child) arriving home to an empty house because neither parent is then available and specifically the mother is absent at work With implications of parental neglect: In a world of latchkey children, he said, children whose only… … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
latchkey — noun (C) 1 a key that opens a lock on an outside door of a house or apartment 2 latchkey kid old fashioned a child whose parents both work and who spends time alone in the house after school … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
latchkey — n. (pl. eys) a key of an outer door. Phrases and idioms: latchkey child a child who is alone at home after school until a parent returns from work … Useful english dictionary
