batten¹ /batˈən/

1. A piece of sawn timber used for flooring, support of laths, etc
2. A strip of wood fastened across parallel boards, or used to fasten down hatches aboard ship, etc
3. A row of electric lamps or a strip of wood carrying them

To fasten or furnish with battens

battˈening noun

Battens forming a structure

batten down the hatches

1. To prepare for a crisis
2. Orig to secure the hatches on a ship against bad weather

batten² /batˈən/

1. To thrive at the expense of (with on)
2. To grow fat
3. To feed abundantly (on; lit and figurative)

To fatten

• turnsole
• turnsoles
• turn someone round one's little finger
• turn someone's brain
• turn someone's head
• turn something to advantage
• turnspit
• turnspits
• turn State's evidence
• turnstile
• turnstiles
• turnstone
• turnstones
• turntable
• turntable ladder
• turntable ladders
• turntables
• turntablist
• turn tail
• turn the cat in the pan
• turn the corner
• turn the King's evidence
• turn the other cheek
• turn the scale
• turn the screw