bat
1. bat \'bat\ n [ME, fr. OE batt, prob. of Celt origin; akin to Gaulish
andabata, a] gladiator 1: a stout solid stick : CLUB 2: a sharp blow :
STROKE 3a: a wooden implement used for hitting the ball in various games
3b: a racket used in various games (as squash) 3c: the short whip used by
a jockey 4a: BATSMAN 4b: a turn at batting - usu. used with at 5:
BATTING - usu. used in pl. Brit 6: GAIT 7: BINGE
2. bat vb or bat.ted; or bat.ting 1: to strike or hit with or as if with a
bat 2a: to advance (a base runner) by batting 2b: to have a batting
average of 3: to compose esp. in a casual, careless; or hurried manner -
usu. used with out 4: to discuss at length or consider in detail 1a: to
strike or hit a ball with a bat 1b: to take one's turn at bat 2: to
wander aimlessly
3. bat n [alter. of ME bakke, prob. of Scand origin, akin to OSw nattbakka
b]at : any of an order (Chiroptera) of nocturnal placental flying mammals
with forelimbs modified to form wings
4. bat vt or bat.ted; or bat.ting [prob. alter. of 2bate] : to wink esp.
in surprise or emotion {never batted an eye}