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Padlock vs Latch - What's the difference?

padlock | latch |

As nouns the difference between padlock and latch

is that padlock is a detachable lock that can be used to secure something by means of a sliding or hinged shackle while latch is a fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side.

As verbs the difference between padlock and latch

is that padlock is to lock using a padlock while latch is to close or lock as if with a latch.

padlock

English

(wikipedia padlock)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A detachable lock that can be used to secure something by means of a sliding or hinged shackle

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To lock using a padlock.
  • * 1989 , ” (song):
    • Janitors padlock the gates.

    See also

    * combination lock

    latch

    English

    (wikipedia latch)

    Etymology 1

    (etyl) .

    Noun

    (es)
  • A fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side.
  • * 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 4
    • The cleverly constructed latch which Clayton had made for the door had sprung as Kerchak passed out; nor could the apes find means of ingress through the heavily barred windows.
  • A flip-flop electronic circuit
  • (obsolete) A latching.
  • (obsolete) A crossbow.
  • (obsolete) That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare.
    • Derived terms
    * on the latch

    Verb

    (es)
  • To close or lock as if with a latch
  • To catch; lay hold of
  • :* Where hearing should not latch them. — Shakespeare, MacBeth , Act IV
    • Derived terms
    * latch on * latch on to * latch onto

    Etymology 2

    Compare (etyl) .

    Verb

    (es)
  • (obsolete) To smear; to anoint.
    • (Shakespeare)