latch

1. N-COUNT A latch is a fastening on a door or gate. It consists of a metal bar which you lift in order to open the door. 門閂

You left the latch off the gate and the dog escaped. 你沒插門閂，狗跑了。

2. N-COUNT A latch is a lock on a door which locks automatically when you shut the door, so that you need a key in order to open it from the outside. 彈簧鎖

...a key clicked in the latch of the front door. …鈅匙在前門的彈簧鎖裡發(fā)出哢噠的聲響。