n.
Pronunciation: ' ba-t ə r
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English bateren, probably frequentative of batten to bat, from bat
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to beat with successive blows so as to bruise, shatter, or demolish b : BOMBARD
2 : to subject to strong, overwhelming, or repeated attack < batter ed by forces of change>
3 : to wear or damage by hard usage or blows <a batter ed old hat>
intransitive verb : to strike heavily and repeatedly : BEAT
synonyms see MAIM
– bat · ter · er \ -t ə r- ə r \ noun