also latch-key, 1825, a key to draw back the latch of a door, from latch (n.) + key (n.1). Latchkey child first recorded 1944, American English, in reference to children who come home from school while both parents are at work.
权威例句
1. On the doorstep he felt in his hip pocket for the latchkey.
他站在门口的台阶上,摸了摸后裤兜,找大门钥匙.
2. Someone was opening the front door with a latchkey.
有人在用门锁钥匙开前门.
3. At nine o'clock I heard my uncle's latchkey in the hall door.
九点钟时我听见舅舅用钥匙开大门的声音.
4. I was a so - called latchkey kid.
我曾被叫做“挂钥匙儿童”.
5. But the recipe is in the other trousers. O, and I forgot that latchkey too.