batter

present singular third person batters · participle present battering · participle past battered · past battered

1. To hit or strike violently and repeatedly.

   The firemen battered down the door.

   2 more examples

   The golden ſtature of their feathered bird That ſpreads her wings vpon the city wals, Shall not defend it from our battering ſhot.

   c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act IIII, scene ii

   The journey is worth an article in itself, but all I can give is a flavour of a railway which traverses a bleak but dramatic coastline that's regularly battered by the elements - especially around Parton, where the line is constantly threatened by the sea.

   2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, pages 56–57

2. cookingTo coat with batter (the food ingredient).

   I prefer it when they batter the cod with breadcrumbs.

3. figurativelyTo defeat soundly; to thrash.

   Leeds United battered Charlton 7-0.

   1 more example

   There have been so many times when England were such a tactically flat, stressed-out bunch that they could squeeze the joy out of battering even the meekest opposition, so at times against Panama you had to rub your eyes at the general levels of fun being had.

   2018 June 24, Sam Wallace, “Harry Kane scores hat-trick as England hit Panama for six to secure World Cup knock-out qualification”, in Telegraph (UK), retrieved 24 Jun 2018

   Synonyms: thrash

4. UKpassiveslangusuallyTo intoxicate.

   That cocktail will batter you!

   1 more example

   I was battered last night on our pub crawl.

   Synonyms: intoxicate

5. artsTo flatten (metal) by hammering, so as to compress it inwardly and spread it outwardly.
6. UKobsoleteTo coat in a paste-like substance; to fasten with a paste-like glue.

   the bible mentioned in the oath emitted this day , by Andrew Murison , as the book and bible from whence the printed leaves , battered on the B. L. Coy's notes , now challenged as forged , are alleged to be taken

   1826, Thomas Beveridge, A Practical Treatise on the Forms of Process...

plural batters

1. countableuncountablecookingA beaten mixture of flour and liquid (usually egg and milk), used for baking (e.g. pancakes, cake, or Yorkshire pudding) or to coat food (e.g. fish) prior to frying.

   To the dismay of his mother, the boy put his finger into the pancake batter.

2. countableslangA binge; a heavy drinking session.

   When he went on a batter, he became very violent.

   Synonyms: bender, binge

3. countableuncountableA paste of clay or loam.

   The batter or lome that goeth to the making of [bricks]

   1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “(please specify |book=I to XXXVII)”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], (please specify |tome=1 or 2), London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC

4. countablemediaA bruise on the face of a plate or of type in the form.

   In repairing batters at the edges of the plate, when the bevel has been torn away by the catches, &c., it is necessary to solder a piece of metal along the side.

   1881, The Printing Times and Lithographer, page 251

present singular third person batters · participle present battering · participle past battered · past battered

1. architectureTo slope (of walls, buildings etc.).

plural batters

1. architectureAn incline on the outer face of a built wall.

plural batters

1. ball gamesThe player attempting to hit the ball with a bat.

   The first batter hit the ball into the corner for a double.

   Synonyms: hitter, batsman

2. ball gamesA player of the batting side now on the field.
3. ball gamesThe player now receiving strike; the striker.
4. ball gamesAny player selected for his or her team principally to bat, as opposed to a bowler.

   It's hard to put this on his shoulders while the guy is so young, but I firmly believe Kane could go down as New Zealand's greatest ever batter.

   2015, Brendon McCullum, ESPNcricnfo