batten Hear it!

batten1 definition

bat·ten (bat′'n)

noun

  1. a sawed strip of wood, flooring, etc.
  2. a strip of wood put over a seam between boards as a fastening or covering
  3. a short piece of wood or plastic inserted in a sail to keep it taut
  4. a strip of steel or wood used to fasten canvas over a ship's hatchways

Etymology: var. of baton

transitive verb

  1. to fasten with battens
  2. to supply or strengthen with battens
batten Idioms

batten down the hatches

to fasten canvas over the hatches, esp. in preparing for a storm
batten2 definition

bat·ten (bat′'n)

intransitive verb

  1. to grow fat; thrive
  2. to be well fed or wealthy at another's expense

Etymology: ON batna, improve < IE base *bhad-, good > better

transitive verb

to fatten up; overfeed
batten3 definition

bat·ten (bat′'n)

noun

in a loom, the movable frame that presses into place the threads of a woof

Etymology: Fr battant, orig. prp. of battre < OFr: see batter

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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