Batten

Quick meaning: Batten is a verb meaning To cause (an animal, etc.) to become fat or thrive through plenteous feeding; to fatten.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

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

Example Sentences

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

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

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; […]

Word Forms

• battens
• battening
• battened
• battenest
• battenedst
• batteneth
• batton

Synonyms for batten

Depending on context, synonyms include fleshen, stouten, batful, battle, beater, lathe.

Antonyms for batten

Common opposites include unbatten.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include secure, siding, slat, embattail, battel, belace.

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