ˈfat ə n verb
( fattened ; fattened ; fattening -t( ə )niŋ ; fattens )
Etymology: fat (II) + -en
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make fat, fleshy, or plump — often used with up
attempting to fatten her children up with potatoes, spaghetti, and creamed dishes
: make bigger or more substantial
fatten the record by making false entries
fatten the young author's self-esteem — E.J.Simmons
especially : to feed (as a stock animal) for slaughter
b.
(1) : to add to (a pot) in a card game especially by an additional ante
(2) : to play a high-scoring card to (a trick one's partner or a favored opponent is expected to win, as in pinochle)
2. : to make fertile and fruitful : enrich
intransitive verb
: to grow fat, corpulent, or plump
herds fattening on the early clover
: grow rich and prosperous
early kings fattening on the labor of slaves and enemy captives
boulevard papers with large circulations fattening on sex, crime, and scandal — Newsweek
— often used with out
a skinny cow fattening out into a good carcass