The door was only latched.
Locke.
Latch"et (?), n. [OE. lachet, from an OF. dialect form of F. lacet
plaited string, lace dim. of lacs. See Lace.] The string that fastens a
shoe; a shoestring.
Latch"ing, n. (Naut.) A loop or eye formed on the head rope of a
bonnet, by which it is attached to the foot of a sail; -- called also
latch and lasket. [Usually in pl.]
Latch"key` (?), n. A key used to raise, or throw back, the latch of a
door, esp. a night latch.
Latch"string` (?), n. A string for raising the latch of a door by a
person outside. It is fastened to the latch and passed through a hole
above it in the door.
To find the latchstring out, to meet with hospitality; to be welcome.
(Intrusion is prevented by drawing in the latchstring.) [Colloq. U.S.]
Late (lt), a. [Compar. Later (lt"r), or latter (lt"tr); superl. Latest
(lt"st) or Last (lst).] [OE. lat slow, slack, AS. læt; akin to OS. lat,
D. laat late, G. lass weary, lazy, slack, Icel. latr, Sw. lat, Dan.
lad, Goth. lats, and to E. let, v. See Let to permit, and cf. Alas,
Lassitude.] 1. Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or
proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring.
2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a
late period of life.
3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; lately
deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of
London; the late administration.
4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains;
we have received late intelligence.
5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late
revels; a late watcher.
Late, adv. [AS. late. See Late, a.] 1. After the usual or proper time,
or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; -- opposed to
early.