: to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation
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What Is the Origin of Batten
Batten comes from the name for an iron bar used to secure the covering of a hatchway on a ship, which was especially useful in preparation of stormy weather. The verb batten is used in variations of the phrase "batten down the hatches," which means "to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation." It winds back to Latin battuere, meaning "to beat."
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
probably from Old Norse batna to improve; akin to Old English betera better
Noun
alteration of Middle English batent, bataunt finished board, from Anglo-French *bataunt, from present participle of batre to beat, from Latin battuere