unlatched - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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unlatched

|un-latched|

/ʌnˈlætʃ/

(unlatch)

release latch

Base Form	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past Participle	Present Participle	Adjective
unlatch	unlatches	unlatched	unlatched	unlatching	unlatched

Etymology

Etymology Information

'unlatch' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'un-' (from Old English 'un-' meaning 'not') combined with the word 'latch' (from Middle English 'lache' meaning 'bar' or 'fastening').

Historical Evolution

'latch' changed from Middle English 'lache' (a fastening or bar) derived from Old English roots related to grasping/holding, and the negative prefix 'un-' was attached to create 'unlatch', eventually becoming the modern English 'unlatch'.

Meaning Changes

Initially related to releasing or opening a fastening, the word's meaning has remained largely consistent as 'to release a latch' or adjectivally 'not fastened'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

past tense or past participle form of 'unlatch' (to release or open a latch).

She unlatched the door before stepping inside.

Synonyms

released opened unfastened

Antonyms

latchedsecured fastened

Adjective 1

not latched; (of a door, gate, lid, etc.) left unfastened or open because the latch is not secured.

The back gate was unlatched and blowing in the wind.

Synonyms