batten
batten Lexical Profile
batten Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A long, flat strip of wood or metal used in construction and shipbuilding to hold something in place, cover a joint between boards, or support roofing tiles.
"The carpenter nailed wooden battens across the rafters to support the new clay roof tiles."
A thin, flexible strip of wood, fiberglass, or plastic inserted into a pocket in a sail to help maintain its aerodynamic shape.
"Before hoisting the mainsail, the crew slid the fiberglass battens into their pockets along the leech."
A long metal pipe or bar suspended above a theater stage from which scenery, curtains, or lighting instruments are hung.
"The stagehands lowered the lighting batten to adjust the spotlights before opening night."
• verb
To fasten, strengthen, or secure something using long strips of wood or metal (often used with 'down').
"With the hurricane approaching the coast, residents hurried to batten down their storm shutters."
To thrive, prosper, or grow fat and comfortable, especially in a parasitic manner at the expense of others (usually followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"Unscrupulous lenders often batten on the financial desperation of low-income families."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Batten' represents two etymologically distinct words: the construction and nautical verb (almost always used in 'batten down the hatches') and the literary verb meaning 'to thrive at another's expense' (used with 'on' or 'upon'). Do not confuse it with the homophone 'baton' (a conductor's stick or relay rod).
• Rhymes for batten
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun and construction verb derive from Middle French 'baton' (stick or rod), from Late Latin 'battuere' (to beat). The verb meaning 'to thrive or grow fat' comes separately from Old Norse 'batna' (to improve or get better), sharing a Germanic root with 'better'.