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Battens: meaning, definitions and examples

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battens

 

[ ˈbat(ə)nz ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

building

Long, flat strips of wood or metal used to provide structural support or to secure something in place.

Synonyms

bar, slat, strip

Examples of usage

  • The carpenters installed battens along the roof to support the tiles.
  • She used battens to secure the tarpaulin over the cargo.
Context #2 | Verb

sailing

To secure a sail to a boom or gaff using flexible, narrow strips of wood or other material.

Synonyms

fasten, secure, tighten

Examples of usage

  • He batten down the sails before the storm hit.
  • The sailors quickly battened the sails to prevent damage.

Translations

Translations of the word "battens" in other languages:

🇵🇹 travas

🇮🇳 अटकाना

🇩🇪 Riegel

🇮🇩 palu

🇺🇦 засуви

🇵🇱 rygle

🇯🇵 掛かり木

🇫🇷 loquets

🇪🇸 cerrojos

🇹🇷 sürgüler

🇰🇷 잠금장치

🇸🇦 مزاليج

🇨🇿 západky

🇸🇰 zástrčky

🇨🇳 闩

🇸🇮 zapahi

🇮🇸 læsingar

🇰🇿 құлыптар

🇬🇪 საკეტები

🇦🇿 qıfıllar

🇲🇽 cerrojos

Word origin

The word 'batten' originated from Middle English 'batne', related to Old Norse 'batna', meaning 'improve, grow better'. In the context of building, the use of battens dates back to medieval times when they were commonly used in timber-framed buildings. In sailing, battens were essential for securing sails efficiently, improving the performance of ships. Over time, the term 'batten' has evolved to encompass various applications in construction and maritime activities.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,687, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.