bat 1 
(băt)
(băt)n.
1. A stout wooden stick; a cudgel.
2. A blow, such as one delivered with a stick.
3. Baseball A rounded, often wooden club, wider and heavier at the hitting end and tapering at the handle, used to strike the ball.
4. Sports
a. A club used in cricket, having a broad, flat-surfaced hitting end and a distinct, narrow handle.
b. The racket used in various games, such as table tennis or racquets.
v. bat·ted, bat·ting, bats
v.tr.
1. To hit with or as if with a bat.
2. Baseball
a. To cause (a run) to be scored while at bat: batted the winning run in with a double.
b. To have (a certain percentage) as a batting average.
3. Informal To discuss or consider at length: bat an idea around.
v.intr.
Phrasal Verb: 1. Baseball
a. To use a bat.
b. To have a turn at bat.
2. Slang To wander about aimlessly.
bat out
Idioms: Informal To produce in a hurried or informal manner: batted out thank-you notes all morning.
at bat Sports
Taking one's turn to bat, as in baseball or cricket.
go to bat for
To give assistance to; defend.
right off the bat
Without hesitation; immediately: They responded right off the bat.
[Middle English, perhaps partly of Celtic origin and partly from Old French batte, pounding implement, flail (from batre, to beat; see BATTER1).]