hood latch
1
4.6
- noun
- Specialized
:
traba del capó
- The mechanic showed me how to replace the broken hood latch on my car.
But it gets a little bit more unusual because when you pull the hood latch to open the hood, the headlights also do a little dance.
- But it gets a little bit more unusual because when you pull the hood latch to open the hood, the headlights also do a little dance.
Examples
-
He checked the hood latch before starting the engine to ensure the hood would stay closed.
-
But it gets a little bit more unusual because when you pull the hood latch to open the hood, the headlights also do a little dance.
-
Honey, check and see if the hood latch is up there in the front.
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Straightening up, she made it worse by hitting her head on the hood latch.
Fiction book (1997) -
To prevent the hood from flying open while driving, make sure the hood latch is securely fastened.
Synonyms
49
2.6
A small metal part that holds a door or gate closed
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'hood' (the car covering/panel) combined with 'latch' (a mechanical fastener) yields a fastener for the hood. This follows a common noun‑noun compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Hood latch is a name made from the car's hood and a small catch called a latch, so you can picture a catch holding the hood down. That's why it means 'a part that keeps the hood shut until you release it'.