Middle English Dictionary Entry
batten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | batten v. Also baten. |
| Etymology | OF battre, batre; ?partly from ME bat n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To beat (sb.); stamp, pound (sth.); knock (on the door); ppl. batted, battered, bruised; (b) to pat (sb., sth.); (c) to beat or flap (wings, fins); (d) without obj., of a bird: to strike or peck.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)29/20 : Hie is ȝelich ðe seneueies corne..Æure ðe mann ðe hit more bat and stampeþ, ðe hit strengere and betre is.
- c1390 Castle Love(1) (Vrn)884 : Mi soule..Þat at þi ȝate bat and loude doþ grede.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)26 : Battyn or betyn wyth stavys: Fustigo, baculo.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)6.183 : With a barre inbete hit [morter]; batte hit ofte.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)280/224 : Þos brethellis be battand, And putte þam in prisoune.
b
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.192 : I..Battede hem on þe Bakkes to bolden heore hertes.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(1) (Med-L 136)200/642 : Bat it with thi fynger þat it cleue fast þerto.
c
- a1333 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Add 46919)723 : Finnes bat the fish [Cmb: E des eyles paunde (glossed: flakeres) peschoun].
- a1456(c1425) Lydg.Eagle (Trin-C R.3.20)46 : Flyeþe heghest..Bating hir wynges with-oute werynesse To Iuvoos Castel.
d
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)2.162 : Ȝit was not þe fawcon full fed..Than bated he boldeliche, as a brid wolde, To plewme on his pray þe pol fro þe nekk.
2.
(a) To engage in combat, fight; ~ (up)on, to attack or fight with (sb.); (b) to quarrel or argue (with sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)4406 : Nemmyus..bated hym opon þe emperour, And ful glad was þat he myght Wiþ so noble a lordyng fyght.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5914 : Durst no buerne on hym bate for his bold dedis.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4009 : Sire, it is better for to bate & on þe bent faile, Þan se þis rewthe on ȝour renkis.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)13a : To Bate: Baculare, cedere, flagellare, fustigare, gladiare, percutere, verberare.
b
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)5913 : And for he wil þus bate [Trin-C: debate] on me, I sal him drenkil in þe se.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)26 : Batyn or make debate: Jurgor.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4553 : To bragg & to bost & bate with þe pepill.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: A quot. from (c1410) York MGame 53 ("...sure-batyd...") formerly treated under sense (a) has been removed to its own entry, surbaten v., q.v.
Note: Forms with a single t may belong to bāten v.(1).--per MLL