First Known Use: circa 1540
Dictionary
1batten
verb bat·ten \ˈba-tən\
bat·tenedbat·ten·ing \ˈbat-niŋ, ˈba-tən-iŋ\
Definition of BATTEN
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
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Origin of BATTEN
probably from Old Norse batna to improve; akin to Old English betera better
2batten
noun
: a long thin piece of wood that is used to connect and support other pieces of wood
Full Definition of BATTEN
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)
See batten defined for English-language learners
See batten defined for kids
Origin of BATTEN
alteration of Middle English batent, bataunt finished board, from Anglo-French *bataunt, from present participle of batre to beat, from Latin battuere
First Known Use: 1658
3batten
verb
bat·tenedbat·ten·ing \ˈbat-niŋ, ˈba-tən-iŋ\
Definition of BATTEN
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 <battening down for the hurricane>
— batten down the hatches
: to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation
First Known Use of BATTEN
1663
BATTEN Defined for Kids
batten
verb bat·ten \ˈba-tən\
bat·tenedbat·ten·ing
Definition of BATTEN for Kids
1
: to secure by or as if by fastening —often used with down <Everything on the ship's deck was battened down.>
2
: to prepare for possible trouble or difficulty —often used with down <People battened down in preparation for winter.>
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