I. ˈba-t ə n verb
( bat·tened ; bat·ten·ing ˈbat-niŋ, ˈba-t ə n-iŋ)
Etymology: probably from Old Norse batna to improve; akin to Old English betera better
Date: circa 1540
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to grow fat
b. : to feed gluttonously
2. : to grow prosperous especially at the expense of another — usually used with on
transitive verb
: fatten
II. noun
Etymology: alteration of Middle English batent, bataunt finished board, from Anglo-French * bataunt, from present participle of batre to beat, from Latin battuere
Date: 1658
1.
a. British : a piece of lumber used especially for flooring
b. : a thin narrow strip of lumber used especially to seal or reinforce a joint
2. : a strip, bar, or support resembling or used similarly to a batten (as in a sail)
III. verb
( bat·tened ; bat·ten·ing ˈbat-niŋ, ˈba-t ə n-iŋ)
Date: 1663
transitive verb
1. : to furnish with battens
2. : to fasten with or as if with battens — often used with down
intransitive verb
: to make one secure by or as if by battens
batten ing down for the hurricane
•
- batten down the hatches