Definition of "door-latch" [door-latch]

• An attachment to a door by which it is kept closed. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "A click of the door-latch heralded the appearance of a hand."
• "Once beyond the village, where the cottages ceased abruptly, on either side of the road they could smell through the darkness the friendly fields again; and they braced themselves for the last long stretch, the home stretch, the stretch that we know is bound to end, some time, in the rattle of the door-latch, the sudden firelight, and the sight of familiar things greeting us as long-absent travellers from far over-sea."
• "In about ten minutes he heard the same light footstep that he had heard in going out; it paused at the gate, which opened and shut softly, and then the door-latch was lifted, and Lizzy came in."