Webster's English Dictionary

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}