hatch1

 
Pronunciation: /hatʃ/

noun

  • a small opening in a floor, wall, or roof allowing access from one area to another: a cargo hatch a service hatch
  • a door in an aircraft, spacecraft, or submarine.
  • the rear door of a hatchback car: a spare wheel mounted on the rear hatch
  • short for hatchback.

Phrases

down the hatch

informal used to express friendly feelings towards one’s companions before drinking: ‘Down the hatch!’ he said, raising his mug

under (the) hatches

below deck in a ship.

Origin:

Old English hæcc (denoting the lower half of a divided door), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hek 'paling, screen'