bat

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A small flying animal that comes out at night and feeds on insects or fruit.

   At dusk, dozens of bats flew out of the dark cave.

2. 2
   noun

   A wooden or metal stick used to hit the ball in games like baseball or cricket.

   She swung the bat and hit the ball over the fence.

3. 3
   verb

   To hit a ball with a bat, or to take your turn hitting in a game.

   He batted the ball hard into left field.

4. 4
   verb

   To open and close your eyes quickly.

   She batted her eyelashes and smiled at him.

Common collocations

• cricket bat Noun + noun
• vampire bat Noun + noun

From Middle English batten, baten (“to beat”), from Old French batre (“to beat”), from Late Latin battere, from Latin battuere, of uncertain origin; perhaps of Germanic or Celtic origin. In modern English reinterpreted as a verbal derivative of Etymology 2. Compare batter, battery.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images