batten

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bat|ten /b'ætən/ (battens battening battened)
1 [N-COUNT]
A batten is a long strip of wood that is fixed to something to strengthen it or to hold it firm.
...a batten to support the base timbers.
2 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed adv/prep
If something is battened in place, it is made secure by having battens fixed across it or being closed firmly.
The roof was never securely battened down.
3
to batten down the hatches: see hatch

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