[f. BATTEN sb.1]

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  1.  To furnish or strengthen with battens.

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1775.  Falch, Day’s Diving Vess., 26. These windlasses being battened and holed for common handspikes.

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1794.  W. Felton, Carriages (1801), I. 17. Deal boardings firmly battened on the inside.

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1881.  Mechanic, § 1651. The wall must be battened.

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  2.  (chiefly Naut.) To batten down: to fasten down with battens; see BATTEN sb.1

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1762.  Derby Mercury, 19–26 Nov., 2/3. We luckily all saved our private Property by the Hatches being batten’d down.

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1823.  J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 53. The severity of the climate having compelled them to batten down and caulk their abiding place.

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c. 1860.  H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 72. It is sometimes necessary in bad weather to put on the gratings and nail tarpaulings over them: this is called ‘battening down.’

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1883.  Chamb. Jrnl., 20. Batten down the hatches—quick, men.

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