“Batten down” is a phrase that has been used for centuries. It is a term that has been used in different contexts and has different meanings. This article will explore the definition and meaning of the phrase “batten down.”
Definitions
Batten down is a phrase that means to secure something firmly or to prepare for a storm. It is used to describe the act of securing a hatch or a door with a batten, which is a strip of wood or metal that is used to hold something in place.
Origin
The phrase “batten down” has its origins in the nautical world. It is believed to have originated from the practice of securing the hatches on a ship with battens to prevent water from entering during a storm. The phrase has since been used in other contexts to mean to secure something firmly.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “batten down” means to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation, such as a storm. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as securing something firmly with battens. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as securing something firmly with strips of wood or metal.
Associations
The phrase “batten down” is often associated with storms and bad weather. It is also associated with preparing for difficult or dangerous situations.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “batten down” include secure, fasten, latch, lock, and bolt.
Antonyms
Antonyms of “batten down” include loosen, unfasten, unlock, and unbolt.
The same root words
The phrase “batten down” does not have any root words.
Example Sentences
- Before the storm hits, we need to batten down the hatches.
- The windows were batten down to prevent them from breaking during the hurricane.
- The crew batten down the cargo to prevent it from shifting during the rough seas.
In conclusion, “batten down” is a phrase that has been used for centuries to describe the act of securing something firmly. It has its origins in the nautical world and has since been used in other contexts. The phrase is often associated with storms and bad weather, and it is used to describe the act of preparing for difficult or dangerous situations.