hatch Hear it!

hatch¹ Definition

hatch (hac̸h)

transitive verb

    1. to bring forth (young) from an egg or eggs by applying warmth
    2. to bring forth young from (an egg or eggs)
  1. to bring (a plan, idea, etc.) into existence; esp., to plan in a secret or underhanded way; plot

Etymology: ME hacchen, akin to Ger hecken, to breed & OE hagan, the genitals < ? IE base *ak-, to be able, help > Sans aknṓti, (he) can

intransitive verb

  1. to bring forth young; develop embryos: said of eggs
  2. to come forth from the egg
  3. to brood: said of a bird

noun

  1. the process of hatching
  2. the brood hatched
  3. a result

hatch¹ Related Forms
hatcher noun
hatch² Definition

hatch (hac̸h)

noun

  1. the lower half of a door, gate, etc. that has two separately movable halves
  2. hatchway
  3. a covering for a ship's hatchway, or a lid or trapdoor for a hatchway in a building
  4. a barrier to regulate the flow of water in a stream; floodgate

Etymology: ME hacche < OE hæcc, grating, lattice gate, akin to Du, LowG hek < IE base *kagh-, to enclose, wickerwork > hedge

hatch² Idioms

down the hatch!

Informal drink up!: used as a toast

hatch³ Definition

hatch (hac̸h)

transitive verb

to mark or engrave with fine, crossed or parallel lines so as to indicate shading

Etymology: OFr hacher, to chop: see hachure

noun

any of these lines

hatch Synonyms

hatch

v.

  1. To bring forth

    bear, lay eggs, give birth; see produce 1.

  2. To plan

    prepare, scheme, plot; see invent 1, plan 1.

hatch Usage Examples

Object

  • chick: You can watch the birds cozy up with their eggs or coddle their newly hatched chicks.
  • larva: The Sheep Nostril fly places already hatched larvae in the nostrils of sheep.
  • tadpole: The hatching black tadpoles look very different to the adults.
  • egg: Unfortunately, having actually hatched the eggs doesn't mean all your troubles are over.
  • duckling: Young females may die and many are forced to nest away from the pond increasing the danger to newly hatched ducklings.
  • nymph: The female lays her eggs in the ground and tends to them and the hatched nymphs until they are feeding for themselves.

Converse of object

  • serve: There is a serving hatch into the canteen with its glass window broken.

Adjective modifier

  • hot: Whether you own a prestige sports car or a hot hatch; we can find the right cover at the right price.
  • wooden: He pushed as hard as he could, and opened a small wooden hatch.
  • rear: Turn the ignition off, and close the doors and rear hatch.

Preposition: into

  • larva: These hatch into larvae which immediately begin to feed.
  • maggot: Flies can lay eggs within seconds and these eggs hatch into maggots within 7 - 10 days in the right conditions.

Modifying Another Word

  • newly: At the same time young newly hatched fish were also found on the shore.

Noun used with modifier

  • loft: Window to side, smoke detector, single socket, stairs to ground floor, loft hatch.
  • escape: There are huge steel doors, like safe doors, for equipment on two levels and smaller but similar doors as emergency escape hatches.
  • egg: Two eggs may develop in a good season, but more often than not only the larger egg hatches.

Used with why or when

  • which: We loved the privacy hatch which meant you could have breakfast delivered to your room without being disturbed.

Preposition: in

  • intestine: Infection of this roundworm occurs when cats ingest the eggs, which then hatch in the intestine, and develop into the adult worms.

Preposition: of

  • egg: The rate of hatching of these eggs depends on climatic conditions, reaching a peak in midsummer.

Preposition: from

  • egg: With the onset of the annual rains they hatch from eggs deposited in the mud by the parent fishes.

Browse dictionary entries near hatch

  1. hatbox
  2. hatband
  3. hat trick
  4. hat tree
  5. hat
  6. hasty pudding
  7. hasty
  8. Hastings
  9. hastily
  10. hasten
  1. hatchback
  2. hatcheck
  3. hatched
  4. hatchel
  5. hatchery
  6. hatchet
  7. hatchet face
  8. hatchet job
  9. hatchet man
  10. hatching