batten¹noun
a long, flat strip of squared timber or metal used to hold something in place or as a fastening against a wall
板条，压条
■a strip of wood or metal for securing a tarpaulin over a ship's hatchway
（船舱口压住油布的）压条
■a strip of wood or plastic used to stiffen and hold the leech of a sail out from the mast
（把帆缘固定在桅杆上的）板条
verb
[with obj.]strengthen or fasten (something) with battens
用板条固定（某物）
Stephen was battening down the shutters.
斯蒂温正用板条固定百叶窗。
[as adj., incombination -battened]full-battened sails.
完全固定的帆。

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常用词组
batten down the hatches
(Nautical)secure a ship's tarpaulins
(航海)固定船上的防水油布
■(figurative)prepare for a difficulty or crisis
(喻)准备迎接困难（或危机）

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语源
late 15th cent.: from Old French batant, present participle (used as a noun) of batre 'to beat', from Latin battuere
batten²verb
[noobj.](batten on)thrive or prosper at the expense of
靠…兴盛，繁荣
multinational monopolies batten on the working classes.
跨国垄断者靠工人阶级发达起来。

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语源
late 16th cent. (in the sense 'improve in condition, grow fat'): from Old Norse batna 'get better', related to better