batten1
/ˈbat(ə)n
/noun
1A long flat strip of squared timber or metal used to hold something in place or as a fastening against a wall.The horizontal timber battens of the south wall overlay profiled metal sheets, changing the scale of the wall and introducing shadow animation....
- We wedged the sides in the casements and, while Graham was outside applying more nails and battens to make it weather-tight, I fetched old towels to mop up the water on the window seat and on the floor beneath.
- Then nail in place wooden battens to support the tiles - checking first that there are no hidden pipes or cables.
Synonyms
bar, bolt, clamp, rail, shaft;
board, strip
1.1A strip of wood or metal for securing a tarpaulin over a ship’s hatchway.I also wonder if Bo has tightened the batten strings to reduce washout....
- 'And if it also comes on to blow and rain uncommonly hard, we take battens, stout laths of wood, that fit against the coaming, the raised rim of the hatchway, and so pin the tarpaulin down drum tight.
- All around there was a foot, or it may be a little more or less, space between, allowing for the battens to go over the hatches.
1.2A strip of wood or plastic used to stiffen and hold the leech of a sail out from the mast.A new ‘U’ shaped batten pocket tends to lock the sail to the batten and help limit chord wise pressure movement resulting in less pitch up in strong thermal conditions....
- Also with the sail tensioned the battens didn't catch on the cross tubes as you pushed them in.
- Her Falcon had no damage either, except all of the battens were flipped over, as the sail all but turned inside out.
verb [with object]
Strengthen or fasten (something) with battens: Stephen was battening down the shutters...
- The Swan 36 comes with a fully battened mainsail and roller furling genoa as standard equipment.
- The big dogs are battened down in the kennel and the only means of air are some holes big enough for my hands to go through.
- Shopkeepers battened their steel doors and people rushed for home.
Synonyms
fasten, fix, secure, clamp, clasp, bolt, rivet, lash, make fast, nail down, seal, tether
Phrases
batten down the hatches
Origin
Late 15th century: from Old French batant, present participle (used as a noun) of batre 'to beat', from Latin battuere.
Rhymes
batten2
/ˈbat(ə)n/verb [no object] (batten on)
Thrive or prosper at the expense of: multinational monopolies batten on the working classes...
- Extremist political parties are hoping to batten on the fears and resentments that already exist.
- The work battens on your memories and replaces them.
- Populism in the region battens on this poverty.
Synonyms
flourish at the expense of, thrive at the expense of, fatten at the expense of, prosper at the expense of, gain at the expense of, be a parasite on
Origin
Late 16th century (in the sense 'improve in condition, grow fat'): from Old Norse batna 'get better', related to better1.