night latch

American  

noun

1. a door lock operated from the inside by a knob and from the outside by a key.

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night latch British  

noun

1. a door lock that is operated by means of a knob on the inside and a key on the outside

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Etymology

Origin of night latch

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Bramuglia hastily called the principals into his suite at the plush Hotel George V, locked the door, and turned the night latch.

From Time Magazine Archive

The boy put Sounder’s tin under the porch, closed the door, pushed the night latch, sat down behind the stove, and began to eat his supper.

From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong

It did not pass—it came directly up to the door, familiar as a burglar with its night latch key.

From Hot corn: Life Scenes in New York Illustrated by Robinson, Solon

An instant later, the door closed, with the sharp click of a night latch, and Mike flashed on the light.

From The Case and the Girl by Parrish, Randall

Noiselessly she removed the night latch and slipped into the vestibule.

From I Spy by Lincoln, Natalie Sumner