I. ˈbad. ə l, -at ə l noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps from battle (V)
: the account for college expenses at Oxford University ; specifically : the account for board and provisions supplied from the college kitchen — usually used in plural
Father would have the money put by for my first year's battels — Thomas Wood †1950
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to have an account with or to be supplied with provisions from a college kitchen or buttery at Oxford University