Batten

/ˈbæt(ə)n/ · verb

Meaning

To cause (an animal, etc.) to become fat or thrive through plenteous feeding; to fatten..

Definitions by Sense

1. To cause (an animal, etc.) to become fat or thrive through plenteous feeding; to fatten.
2. To enrich or fertilize (land, soil, etc.).
3. To become better; to improve in condition; especially of animals, by feeding; to fatten up.
4. Of land, soil, etc.: to become fertile; also, of plants: to grow lush.
5. Followed by on: to eat greedily; to glut.
6. Followed by on: to prosper or thrive, especially at the expense of others.
7. To gloat at; to revel in.
8. To gratify a morbid appetite or craving.

Example Sentences

VVe drove a field, and both together heard / VVhat time the Gray-fly vvinds her ſultry horn, / Batt'ning our flocks vvith the freſh devvs of night, […]

[O]thers [i.e., rivers] ariſing and running thorovv this Shire, doe ſo batten the ground, that the Medovves euen in the midſt of VVinter grovv greene; […]

No, let him batten; when his tongue / Once goes, a cat is not worse strung.

Like enough, Sir, ſhee'll doe forty ſuch things in an houre (an you liſten to her) for her recreation, if the toy take her i'the greaſie kerchiefe: it makes her fat you ſee. Shee battens vvith it.

VVe eate our ovvne, and batten more, / Becauſe vve feed on no mans ſcore: / But pitie thoſe vvhoſe flanks grovv great, / Svvel'd vvith the Lard of others meat.

Our vvomen batten vvell on their good-nature; / All they can rap and rend for the dear creature.

Sure he preſum'd of praiſe, vvho came to ſtock / Th' etherial paſtures vvith ſo fair a flock; / Burniſh'd, and bat'ning on their food, to ſhovv / The diligence of carefull herds belovv.

[S]ome fell ſerpent in his cave expects / The traveller's approach, batten'd vvith herbs / Of baneful juice to fury, forth he looks / Hideous, and lies coil'd all around his den.

Synonyms for batten

Antonyms for batten

Related Words

Word Forms

• battens
• battening
• battened
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• batten
• battenest
• battenedst
• batteneth
• -
• more batten
• most batten
• batton

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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