latch-key
UK[ˈlætʃ kiː]US[ˈlætʃ ˌkiː]
n
A key to an outside door, especially one that allows a child to enter their home without an adult being present.
n
(attributive) Denoting or relating to a child who is at home without adult supervision for part of the day, typically after school until a parent returns from work.
Morpheme Breakdown
latch
key
latch
key
Etymology
The compound "latch-key" is a transparent combination of two Old English nouns, "latch" and "key," which directly describe its function. A "latch" is a simple fastening device, often on a gate or door, and a "key" is the instrument for locking or unlocking it. The term originally and literally meant a key for opening a door latch. Its significant semantic evolution occurred in the mid-20th century, where it became a metonym for the child who carried such a key, symbolizing the phenomenon of children letting themselves into an empty home after school. This shift reflects broader social changes, including the rise of dual-income households, and transformed a simple object into a cultural identifier for a generation of independently entering children.
Analysis
Structure: latch + key
- latch: From Old English læccan (to seize, grasp). In this compound, it refers to the fastening mechanism on a door.
- key: From Old English cǣg (a metal device for operating a lock). In this compound, it refers to the tool that operates the lock or latch.
Examples
She wore her latch-key on a string around her neck so she wouldn't lose it.
The term "latch-key kid" became common in the post-war era.
He fumbled in his pocket for the latch-key to the front gate.