batten

Secure the hatches

A batten is a thin strip of wood used for various purposes in construction, in sailing, and for holding things in place.

To batten something is to secure it with battens, which on a boat means to make the hatches secure and watertight: batten down the hatches.

Used figuratively, it means to assume a position of defense to prepare for danger or difficulties.

Another infrequent verb with the spelling batten means to grow fat or to feed ravenously.

fasten

secure

Protected from harm

clampDevice for holding tight
boltThreaded rod for nuts
anchorSecures ships to seabed

latch · fix · nail · screw · seal · tighten · close · shut · bar · board up

nautical

sail

Ship's wind-catching fabric

mastVessel's sail support
riggingRopes controlling ship sails
boomLoud deep sound

halyard · sheet · luff · clew · reefing · leech · mainsail · jib · genoa · spinnaker

molding

strip

Narrow elongated piece

boardFlat rigid panel
slatNarrow wooden strip
lathThin wooden strip

trim · ledge · cleat · crosspiece · furring · mounting · lattice · framework · fillet · casing

stagecraft

flat

Lacking vertical variation

backdropRear stage scenery
sceneryVisible natural surroundings
curtainFabric hung for privacy

stage · props · scrim · rigging · lighting · drop · cyclorama · grid · stagehand · theater

thrive

fatten

Increase body mass

feastElaborate ceremonial meal
gorgeDeep, narrow valley
prosperSucceed and flourish

flourish · indulge · glut · feed · grow · profit · luxuriate · revel · wax

Categories

nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
sailingsailboat, sailing, sails, sailboats, catamaran
lumberlumber, timber, oak, pine, cedar
securingfasten, secure, lock up, latch, bolt
stagecraftstage left, stage right, center stage, downstage, upstage
boat partshull, keel, mast, rudder, helm

Opposites

fastening/securing

Release from attachment

loosen · open · release · unfix · undo

thriving/prospering

battenstarve

Perish from hunger

wither · languish · decline · waste away · go hungry

structural support

battenremove

Take something away

strip · dismantle · weaken · destabilize

Phrases

batten downFasten firmly for safety
battened down the hatchesSecured against coming danger
batten down the hatchesSecure against coming danger
battening downFastening against rough weather
battened downFastened and sealed shut
battening down the hatchesSecuring a vessel's covers

Family

battened, battens, battening, batten down

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G