- batten⇄batten (1), noun, verb.
- batten⇄batten (2), intransitive verb.
1. to grow fat; thrive.
Ex. The cattle battened on the plentiful fodder. (Figurative.) Melancholy sceptics ... who batten on the hideous facts in history (Emerson).
(SYN) prosper.
2. to feed greedil - batten⇄batten (3), noun.
a movable bar or arm in a loom which strikes in or closes the weft. - batten⇄expr. batten down, to fasten down with or as if with strips of wood.
Ex. to batten down the hatches before a storm. - batten⇄noun battener.
- batten⇄noun 1. a strip of wood nailed over the adjoining edges of parallel boards of a door, wall, etc., to strengthen them or cover the cracks.
2. a board used for flooring, usually 6 or more feet long, 7 inches wide, and 2 1/2 inches thick. Battens may - batten⇄v.t. (Obsolete.) to feed to advantage; fatten up; fatten.
- batten⇄v.t. to strengthen or cover with battens.