BAT

n. & v. --n. 1 an implement with a handle, usu. of wood and with a flat or curved surface, used for hitting balls in games. 2 a turn at using this. 3 a batsman, esp. in cricket, usu. described in some way (an excellent bat). 4 (usu. in pl.) an object like a table-tennis bat used to guide aircraft when taxiing. --v. (batted, batting) 1 tr. hit with or as with a bat. 2 intr. take a turn at batting. øbat around 1 sl. potter aimlessly. 2 US discuss (an idea or proposal). off one's own bat unprompted, unaided. right off the bat US immediately. [ME f. OE batt club, perh. partly f. OF batte club f. battre strike]