First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1batter
verb bat·ter \ˈba-tər\
Definition of BATTER
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 <battered by forces of change>
3
: to wear or damage by hard usage or blows <a battered old hat>
intransitive verb
: to strike heavily and repeatedly : beat
— bat·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun
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Origin of BATTER
Middle English bateren, probably frequentative of batten to bat, from bat
Synonym Discussion of BATTER
maim, cripple, mutilate, batter, mangle mean to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage. maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence <maimed by a shark>. cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg <crippled for life in an accident>. mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function <a tree mutilated by inept pruning>. batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate <an old ship battered by fierce storms>. mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds <a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel>.
2batter
noun
Definition of BATTER
1
a : a mixture consisting chiefly of flour, egg, and milk or water and being thin enough to pour or drop from a spoon b : a mixture (as of flour and egg) used as a coating for food that is to be fried
2
: an instance of battering
Origin of BATTER
Middle English bater, probably from bateren
First Known Use: 14th century
3batter
verb
Definition of BATTER
transitive verb
: to coat (food) with batter for frying
First Known Use of BATTER
1973
4batter
noun
Definition of BATTER
: a receding upward slope of the outer face of a structure
Origin of BATTER
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1743
5batter
verb
Definition of BATTER
transitive verb
: to give a receding upward slope to (as a wall)
First Known Use of BATTER
circa 1882
6batter
noun
Definition of BATTER
: one that bats; especially : the player whose turn it is to bat
First Known Use of BATTER
1773
BATTER Defined for Kids
1batter
verb bat·ter \ˈba-tər\
bat·teredbat·ter·ing
Definition of BATTER for Kids
1
: to beat with repeated violent blows <Waves battered the shore.>
2
: to damage by blows or hard use
2batter
noun
Definition of BATTER for Kids
: a mixture made chiefly of flour and a liquid that is cooked and eaten <pancake batter>
3batter
noun
Definition of BATTER for Kids
: the player whose turn it is to bat
Learn More About BATTER
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