batter

1
[ bat-er ]
/ ˈbæt ər /

verb (used with object)

to beat persistently or hard; pound repeatedly.
to damage by beating or hard usage: Rough roads had battered the car. High winds were battering the coast.

verb (used without object)

to deal heavy, repeated blows; pound steadily: continuing to batter at the front door.

noun

Printing.
  1. a damaged area on the face of type or plate.
  2. the resulting defect in print.

Origin of batter

1
1300–50; Middle English bateren, probably < Middle French, Old French batre to beat (see bate2), with the infinitive ending identified with -er6; compare Anglo-French baterer

Definition for battered (2 of 3)

batter 2
[ bat-er ]
/ ˈbæt ər /

noun

a mixture of flour, milk or water, eggs, etc., beaten together for use in cookery.

verb (used with object)

to coat with batter.

Origin of batter

2
1350–1400; Middle English bat(o)ur, bat(e)re, perhaps < Anglo-French bature, Old French bat(e)ure act of beating ( bat(re) to beat (see bate2) + -eure < *-ātūra; see -ate2, -ure), reinforced by batter1

Definition for battered (3 of 3)

batter 4
[ bat-er ]
/ ˈbæt ər /
Architecture

verb (used without object)

(of the face of a wall or the like) to slope backward and upward.

noun

a backward and upward slope of the face of a wall or the like.

Origin of batter

4
First recorded in 1540–50; of obscure origin

Example sentences from the Web for battered

British Dictionary definitions for battered (1 of 7)

battered 1
/ (ˈbætəd) /

adjective

subjected to persistent physical violence, esp by a close relative living in the same house a battered baby

British Dictionary definitions for battered (2 of 7)

battered 2
/ (ˈbætəd) /

adjective

coated in batter a battered cod

British Dictionary definitions for battered (3 of 7)

batter 1
/ (ˈbætə) /

verb

to hit (someone or something) repeatedly using heavy blows, as with a club or other heavy instrument; beat heavily
(tr; often passive) to damage or injure, as by blows, heavy wear, etc
(tr) social welfare to subject (a person, esp a close relative living in the same house) to repeated physical violence
(tr) to subject (a person, opinion, or theory) to harsh criticism; attack

Word Origin for batter

C14 bateren, probably from batten to bat 1

British Dictionary definitions for battered (4 of 7)

batter 2
/ (ˈbætə) /

noun

a mixture of flour, eggs, and milk, used to make cakes, pancakes, etc, and to coat certain foods before frying

Word Origin for batter

C15 bater, probably from bateren to batter 1

British Dictionary definitions for battered (5 of 7)

batter 3
/ (ˈbætə) /

noun

sport a player who bats

British Dictionary definitions for battered (6 of 7)

batter 4
/ (ˈbætə) /

noun

the slope of the face of a wall that recedes gradually backwards and upwards

verb

(intr) to have such a slope

Word Origin for batter

C16 (vb: to incline): of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for battered (7 of 7)

batter 5
/ (ˈbætə) /

noun

a spree or debauch

Word Origin for batter

C19: of unknown origin