Unlatch

v. [UN-² 3.]

  1.  trans. To undo the latch or catch of (a door, etc.); to unfasten in this way.

1642.  H. More, Song of Soul, I. I. 60. Then stiller whispering winds dark visions unlatch.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, VI. 704. Mean time my worthy wife … The door unlatch’d.

1822.  Byron, Werner, IV. i. 434. Who … Unlatch’d the door of death for thee.

1873.  Miss Broughton, Nancy, I. 54. Unlatching the gate in the fence.

1890.  Anthony’s Photogr. Bull., III. 200. The bellows is closed up, it is now allowed to fall open, when unlatched, by a catch on the side and top.

  b.  intr. To become, or admit of being, thus unfastened.

1871.  B. Taylor, Faust (1875), I. I. ii. 12. The gate of gold no more unlatches.

1875.  Blackmore, A. Lorraine, xviii. The gate at this end unlatches.

  2.  trans. To unlace (shoes). Cf. LATCHET 1 c.

1880.  L. Wallace, Ben-Hur, 253. Another unlatched Ben-Hur’s Roman shoes.