hatch1
n.
- a small opening in a floor, wall, or roof allowing access from one area to another, in particular that in the deck of a boat leading to the cabin or lower level.
▸a door in an aircraft, spacecraft, or submarine.
- short for hatchback.
Phrase
- down the hatch
informal used as a toast.
Etymology
OE hæcc (denoting the lower half of a divided door), of Gmc origin.
hatch2
v.
- (of a young bird, fish, or reptile) emerge from its egg.
▸(of an egg) open and produce a young animal.
▸cause (a young animal) to emerge from its egg.
- conspire to devise (a plot or plan).
n.
a newly hatched brood.
Etymology
ME hacche, rel. to Swed. häcka and Dan. hække.
hatch3
v.
(in technical drawing) shade with closely drawn parallel lines.
Derivative
Etymology
C15 (in the sense ‘inlay with strips of metal’): from OFr. hacher, from hache (see hatchet).