Hatch Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿฃ
Add to dictionary

hatch

[hรฆtสƒ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

baby birds

A hatch is an opening in a wall, door, or floor that allows access to a space. It can also refer to a group of baby birds that have recently emerged from their eggs.

Synonyms

entrance, opening, portal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
hatch

A small door or covering on a vessel, aircraft, or building, often used for accessing a confined space or compartment.

  • The pilot quickly exited through the emergency hatch.
  • He climbed down the hatch into the boat's cabin.
opening

A general term for a gap or a space that allows entry or passage. Can be used in various contexts, both literal and metaphorical.

  • He peered through the small opening in the wall.
  • The job opening attracted many candidates.
entrance

A way or door by which you can enter a place. Often used for general access points in buildings or events.

  • They greeted the guests at the main entrance.
  • Make sure to lock the entrance door before you leave.
portal

An impressive or grand entrance, often used in literature or to describe large or elaborate architectural features.

  • The ancient portal was adorned with intricate carvings.
  • They passed through the portal into another realm.

Examples of usage

  • The little chicks pecked their way out of the hatch in the henhouse.
  • The sailors climbed up through the hatch to the deck.
Context #2 | Verb

emerge

To hatch means to emerge from an egg, or to bring forth young from an egg by the warmth of the body. It can also refer to a plot or plan that is hatched or devised.

Synonyms

conceive, emerge, incubate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
hatch

Used when talking about eggs breaking open and young animals coming out. It can also be used metaphorically for coming up with a plan, often in a sneaky way.

  • The chicks began to hatch after 21 days.
  • They hatched a plan to surprise their friend.
emerge

This word is used to describe coming out of something or somewhere and becoming visible or known.

  • The butterfly will emerge from its chrysalis.
  • A new trend emerged among teenagers.
incubate

Typically used in the context of keeping something at the right temperature so that it develops, often referring to eggs or bacteria.

  • The eggs need to be incubated for several weeks.
  • Scientists incubated the samples in the lab.
conceive

Primarily used when talking about becoming pregnant. It can also mean coming up with an idea or a concept.

  • She was overjoyed to learn she had conceived.
  • He conceived a brilliant idea for the project.

Examples of usage

  • The eggs will hatch in about two weeks.
  • The criminals hatched a plan to rob the bank.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Temperature and humidity play crucial roles in the incubation process for eggs, influencing when they will hatch.
  • Many reptiles and birds have a specific incubation periodโ€”chicken eggs take about 21 days to hatch.
  • Hatching can also refer to the development of certain insects, which undergo metamorphosis and emerge from their cocoons.

Cultural Significance

  • In various cultures, hatching symbolizes new beginnings, rebirth, and transformation, often celebrated in festivals.
  • Eggs are often decorated during springtime festivals around the world, symbolizing new life and growth.

Literature

  • In children's literature, the act of hatching serves as a metaphor for growth, exploration, and the journey into the world.
  • Classic fairy tales often feature eggs that hatch into magical beings or creatures, representing unexpected surprises.

Technology

  • In aviation, a 'hatch' can refer to access openings in aircraft, allowing for maintenance and inspection.
  • The concept of hatching is used in gaming to symbolize the unlocking of characters or features, similar to how a creature emerges from an egg.

Origin of 'hatch'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'hatch' comes from the Old English 'hรฆccan', which means to incubate or bring forth.
  • Hatch originally referred to both the act of emerging and the structure of an opening, like in ships.

The word 'hatch' originated in the late Middle English period, from the Old English word 'hรฆc', meaning a half door or hatch. It has evolved over time to encompass various meanings related to openings, emergence, and plotting. The term has been used in nautical contexts as well as in the context of baby birds hatching from eggs.


See also: hatching.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,469, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.