Main Entry: ¹bat·ter

Pronunciation: \ˈba-tər\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English bateren, probably frequentative of batten to bat, from bat

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to beat with successive blows so as to bruise, shatter, or demolish b : bombard
2 : to subject to strong, overwhelming, or repeated attack <battered by forces of change>
3 : to wear or damage by hard usage or blows <a battered old hat>intransitive verb : to strike heavily and repeatedly : beat

synonyms see maim

— bat·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun