batten
UK[ˈbæt(ə)n]US[ˈbæt(ə)n]
v
To grow or become fat; to thrive at the expense of something else.
v
To fasten or secure something with battens (strips of wood or metal).
n
A strip of wood or metal used to secure or strengthen something, or to fasten a sail.
Etymology
The verb 'batten' has a fascinating dual history, stemming from two distinct Old Norse sources that converged in Middle English. The first, meaning 'to improve' or 'to grow fat,' derives from the Old Norse 'batna,' meaning 'to get better.' The second, referring to securing with a strip of wood, comes from the Old French 'batant,' the present participle of 'batre' (to beat), which itself originates from Latin 'battuere.' This French term entered English via the nautical phrase 'batten down,' literally meaning to fasten hatches by nailing down strips of wood. Over time, the two etymological streams merged under the single spelling 'batten,' linking the concepts of securing material and thriving or feeding heartily.
Analysis
The word 'batten' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It does not lend itself to segmentation into distinct, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling. The entire word functions as a single lexical unit.
Examples
The cattle battened on the rich pasture.
We need to batten down the hatches before the storm arrives.
He secured the tarpaulin with a wooden batten.