battery
battery Lexical Profile
battery Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A device containing one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy to power electronic devices.
"My phone is completely dead because I forgot to charge the battery last night."
A large group or series of similar things used, occurring, or administered together.
"The applicant had to undergo a rigorous battery of psychological tests before being hired."
The crime or tort of unconsented, unlawful, or offensive physical contact with another person.
"He was arrested and charged with assault and battery after starting a fight at the tavern."
Word Nuance & Usage
In legal contexts, 'battery' strictly refers to the actual unconsented physical contact, whereas 'assault' refers to the threat of such contact, though they are frequently paired together in common parlance.
• Rhymes for battery
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'batry', borrowed from Old French 'baterie' (beating, thrashing), ultimately from Latin 'battuere' (to beat). The electrical sense derives from Benjamin Franklin's 1748 use of the word to describe multiple Leyden jars functioning together, likening them to a battery of artillery cannons.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.