Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Hatch

(Science: ornithology) to produce young; said of eggs; to come forth from the egg; said of the young of birds, fishes, insects, etc.

1. To cross with lines in a peculiar manne in drawing and engraving. See hatching. Shall win this sword, silvered and hatched. (Chapman) Those hatching strokes of the pencil. (Dryden)

2. To cross; to spot; to stain; to steep. His weapon hatched in blood. (Beau. & Fl)

Origin: f. Hacher to chop, hack. See Hash.

1. A door with an opening over it; a half door, sometimes set with spikes on the upper edge. In at the window, or else o'er the hatch. (Shak)

2. A frame or weir in a river, for catching fish.

3. A flood gate; a a sluice gate.

4. A bedstead.

5. An opening in the deck of a vessel or floor of a warehouse which serves as a passageway or hoistway; a hatchway; also; a cover or door, or one of the covers used in closing such an opening.

6. (Science: chemical) An opening into, or in search of, a mine. Booby hatch, buttery hatch, Companion hatch, etc. See booby, buttery, etc. To batten down the hatches, to lay tarpaulins over them, and secure them with battens. To be under hatches, to be confined below in a vessel; to be under arrest, or in slavery, distress, etc.

Origin: oe. Hacche, as. Haec, cf. Haca the bar of a door, D. Hek gate, Sw. Hack coop, rack, dan. Hekke manger, rack. Prob. Akin to E. Hook, and first used of something made of pieces fastened together. Cf. Heck, hack a frame.