open vs unlocked vs unlatched :

open or unlocked or unlatched

Many people refer to doors as being “open” when they mean to say they are merely unlocked. Telling people to leave a house open may mislead them into making the place more inviting to casual intruders than you intend if you really only want it to be unlocked. And you may unnecessarily alarm the driver if you report from the back seat of a car that one of the doors is open when you mean that it is merely unlatched.

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  Do you make these 10 mistakes?
Definitions
  open
  • n  a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
    finally broke out of the forest into the open
  • n  where the air is unconfined
    the concert was held in the open air
    camping in the open
  • n  a tournament in which both professionals and amateurs may play
  • n  information that has become public
    all the reports were out in the open
  • v  cause to open or to become open
    Mary opened the car door
  • v  start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning
    open a business
  • v  become open
    The door opened
  • v  begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.
    He opened the meeting with a long speech
  • v  spread out or open from a closed or folded state
    open the map
  • v  make available
    This opens up new possibilities
  • v  become available
    an opportunity opened up
  • v  have an opening or passage or outlet
    The bedrooms open into the hall
  • v  make the opening move
    Kasparov opened with a standard opening
  • v  afford access to
    the door opens to the patio
  • v  display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer
  • a  affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed
    an open door
    they left the door open
  • a  affording free passage or access
    open drains
    the road is open to traffic
    open ranks
  • s  with no protection or shield
    open to the weather
    an open wound
  • s  open to or in view of all
    an open protest
    an open letter to the editor
  • a  used of mouth or eyes
    keep your eyes open
    his mouth slightly opened
  • s  not having been filled
    the job is still open
  • s  accessible to all
    open season
    an open economy
  • s  not defended or capable of being defended
    an open city
    open to attack
  • s  (of textures) full of small openings or gaps
    an open texture
  • s  having no protecting cover or enclosure
    an open boat
    an open fire
    open sports cars
  • a  (set theory) of an interval that contains neither of its endpoints
  • s  not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
    an open question
  • s  not sealed or having been unsealed
    the letter was already open
    the opened package lay on the table
  • s  without undue constriction as from e.g. tenseness or inhibition
    the clarity and resonance of an open tone
    her natural and open response
  • a  ready or willing to receive favorably
  • a  open and observable; not secret or hidden
    open ballots
  • s  not requiring union membership
    an open shop employs nonunion workers
  • s  possibly accepting or permitting
    open to interpretation
    an issue open to question
  • s  affording free passage or view
    open waters
    the open countryside
  • s  openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness
    an open and trusting nature
  • s  ready for business
    the stores are open
  unlocked
  • v  open the lock of
  • v  set free or release
  • v  become unlocked
    The door unlocked from the inside
  • s  not firmly fastened or secured
    an unlocked room
  unlatched
  • s  not firmly fastened or secured
    went through the unlatched gate into the street
News & Articles
  open
  • US Open tee times: Can Mickelson hold the lead?
    US Open tee times: Phil Mickelson is tied for first at one under par going into Saturday's third round of the US Open golf tournament. Tiger Woods was tied for 13th at 3 over par. Michelson will tee off at 2:40 pm.
    June 15, 2013 - The Christian Science Monitor
  • Open Trials for the Bermuda Bowl
    The winners of the open trial in Orlando, Fla., this month were young, and they have added two “old-timers” for the championship in September in Bali, Indonesia.
    June 14, 2013 - New York Times
  • Open Burning Season Ends Saturday
    LANE COUNTY, Ore. — Open burning season will draw to a close on Saturday, June 15, meaning residents will have to find other ways to dispose of their wood and yard debris. Sally Markos with the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency said that this spring has been one of the driest on record, despite the … Continue reading »
    June 14, 2013 - KEZI 9 Eugene
  unlocked
  unlatched
  • Crews rescue horse from Woodinville bog
    Firefighters from Redmond, Woodinville and Kirkland spent hours rescuing an exhausted horse from a bog in Woodinville, using techincal rescue skills and equipment. Holly Miller came back to her Woodinville home to find her horse, Cocoa, stuck in mud up to her shoulders.  Somehow the animal had unlatched the gate of her own corral and wandered into the wettest part of a wooded area next door ...
    June 18, 2013 - KIRO 7 Seattle-Tacoma
  • Crews rescue horse from Woodinville bog
    Firefighters from Redmond, Woodinville and Kirkland spent hours rescuing an exhausted horse from a bog in Woodinville, using techincal rescue skills and equipment. Holly Miller came back to her Woodinville home to find her horse, Cocoa, stuck in mud up to her shoulders.  Somehow the animal had unlatched the gate of her own corral and wandered into the wettest part of a wooded area next door ...
    June 18, 2013 - KIRO 7 Seattle-Tacoma