Batten

BATTEN

-noun

1. a sawn strip of wood used in building to cover joints, provide a fixing for tiles or slates, support lathing, etc

2. a long narrow board used for flooring

3. a narrow flat length of wood or plastic inserted in pockets of a sail to give it proper shape

4. a lath used for holding a tarpaulin along the side of a raised hatch on a ship

5. theatre

a. a row of lights

b. the strip or bar supporting them

6. ( NZ ) Also called: dropper  an upright part of a fence made of wood or other material, designed to keep wires at equal distances apart

-verb

7. (trans) to furnish or strengthen with battens

8. batten down the hatches

a. to use battens in nailing a tarpaulin over a hatch on a ship to make it secure

b. to prepare for action, a crisis, etc.

-verb

(usually followed by “on”) to thrive, especially at the expense of someone else.

Get ready!

Batten down the hatch!

Zombies are ready to come out.