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1

bat

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noun \ ˈbat \

Definition of bat

1 :a stout solid stick :club
2 :a sharp blow :stroke
3 a :a usually wooden implement used for hitting the ball in various games
b :a paddle used in various games (such as table tennis)
c :the short whip used by a jockey
4 a :batsman, batter
  • a right-handed bat
b :a turn at batting —usually used in the phrase at bat
c :hitting ability
  • we need his bat in the lineup
5 :batt
6 British :rate of speed :gait
7 :binge
— off one's own bat
chiefly British :through one's own efforts
— off the bat
:without delay :immediately
  • recognized him right off the bat

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Origin and Etymology of bat

Middle English, from Old English batt

2

bat

verb

Definition of bat

batted; batting
transitive verb
1 :to strike or hit with or as if with a bat
2 a :to advance (a base runner) by batting
b :to have a batting average of
3 :to discuss at length :consider in detail
intransitive verb
1 a :to strike or hit a ball with a bat
b :to take one's turn at bat
2 :to wander aimlessly

First Known Use of bat

13th century

3

bat

noun

Definition of bat

:any of a widely distributed order (Chiroptera) of nocturnal usually frugivorous or insectivorous flying mammals that have wings formed from four elongated digits of the forelimb covered by a cutaneous membrane and that have adequate visual capabilities but often rely on echolocation

Origin and Etymology of bat

probably alteration of Middle English bakke, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Swedish nattbakka bat

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

4

bat

verb

Definition of bat

batted; batting
transitive verb
:to wink especially in surprise or emotion
  • never batted an eye
; also :flutter
  • batted his eyelashes

Origin and Etymology of bat

probably alteration of 2bate

BAT

abbreviation

Definition of BAT

bachelor of arts in teaching

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

BAT Defined for Kids

1

bat

play
noun \ ˈbat \

Definition of bat for Students

1 :a sharp blow or slap
  • a bat on the ear
2 :an implement used for hitting the ball in various games a baseball bat
3 :a turn at batting
  • You're next at bat.
2

bat

verb

Definition of bat for Students

batted; batting
1 :to strike with or as if with a bat The cat batted at the tablecloth's tassels.
2 :to take a turn at bat
  • Have you batted yet?
3

bat

noun

Definition of bat for Students

:any of a group of mammals that fly by means of long front limbs modified into wings

Medical Dictionary

bat

play
noun \ ˈbat \

medical Definition of bat

:any of an order (Chiroptera) of nocturnal placental flying mammals with forelimbs modified to form wings

Learn More about bat

  1. See words that rhyme with bat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bat Spanish Central: Translation of bat Nglish: Translation of bat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bat for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bat

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