Main Entry:

¹hatch

Pronunciation:

\ˈhach\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English hache, from Old English hæc; akin to Middle Dutch hecke trapdoor

Date:

before 12th century

1: a small door or opening (as in an airplane or spaceship) <an escape hatch>2 a: an opening in the deck of a ship or in the floor or roof of a building b: the covering for such an opening c: hatchway d: compartment3: floodgate