Fattened Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fattened

[หˆfรฆt(ษ™)nd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

animal husbandry

Fattened refers to the process of feeding animals, especially livestock, in a way that increases their body weight and fat content. This practice is common in agriculture, where animals are raised for meat production. The aim is to optimize the animal's growth to provide more meat for consumption. In some contexts, it can also imply excessive feeding leading to obesity.

Synonyms

gorged, overfed, plumped.

Examples of usage

  • The farmer fattened the cattle before the market.
  • The technique of fattening sheep has been used for centuries.
  • She decided to fatten her pigs for the winter sale.
  • Fattened ducks are often used in gourmet dishes.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative use

In a more figurative sense, fattened can describe someone or something that has become excessively robust or indulgent, often relating to wealth or resources. This usage may apply to various subjects, such as businesses or governmental budgets that have expanded beyond necessary limits.

Synonyms

augmented, bolstered, enriched.

Examples of usage

  • The company fattened its profits through strategic investments.
  • His savings account was fattened by unexpected bonuses.
  • She fattened her resume with countless qualifications.
  • The budget was fattened to accommodate new projects.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agriculture

  • Farmers often fatten animals like cows or pigs to prepare them for market, improving meat quality.
  • Specific diets rich in nutrients and calories are designed to fatten livestock quickly and safely.

Culinary Arts

  • Fattened meats are sometimes considered a delicacy in cooking, used in dishes like foie gras made from specially fed ducks or geese.
  • In some cultures, dishes prepared from fattened animals are served during celebrations, symbolizing abundance.

Health and Nutrition

  • Modern diets for livestock focus on balancing fatty tissue while ensuring animal welfare and health.
  • Over-fattening in humans can lead to health issues, illustrating the balance needed in nutrition.

Literature

  • In classic literature, 'fattened' often guides themes of gluttony and abundance, contrasting with scarcity.
  • Fattened imagery appears in various poems and stories to evoke feelings of indulgence or excess.

Origin of 'fattened'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'fattened' comes from the Old English word 'fวฃttian', meaning to make fat.
  • It is formed by adding the suffix '-ed' to the verb 'fatten', indicating a completed action of making something fat.

The term 'fattened' is derived from the Old English word 'fวฃttian', which means to make fat. This word can be broken down into two parts: 'fat', which denotes a natural oily substance found in animals, and the suffix '-en' which implies the action of causing or becoming. The practice of fattening animals has historical roots in agricultural societies, where the goal was often to produce the largest and most profitable livestock by maximizing their weight. Since the term has evolved, it now carries connotations both in the literal and figurative sense, reflecting changes in language usage over centuries, particularly in how we view food production and consumption.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,594, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.