noun1. any placental mammal of the order Chiroptera, being a nocturnal mouselike animal flying with a pair of membranous wings (patagia). The group is divided into the Megachiroptera (fruit bats) and Microchiroptera (insectivorous bats)
▶ Related adjective:
chiropteran 2. derogatory, slang an irritating or eccentric woman (esp in the phrase old bat)
3. blind as a bat
4. have bats in the belfry
5. like a bat out of hell
Word origin
C14
bakke, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse
ledhrblaka leather-flapper, Swedish dialect
natt-batta night bat