batten
noun [ C ] uk/ˈbæt.ən/ us/ˈbæt̬.ən/
（常用于加固的）板条，扣板;挂瓦条
a long piece of wood, often attached to something to make that thing stronger
batten
verb [ T ] uk/ˈbæt.ən/ us/ˈbæt̬.ən/
给某物钉板条以加固
to fasten something by fixing pieces of wood onto it
The boxes were securely battened before the journey. 出发前箱子都用板条牢牢地钉好了。
Idiom
batten down the hatchesidiom 钉上扣板密闭舱口，封舱
to fasten the entrances to the lower part of a ship using wooden boards
准备面对困境
to prepare for a difficult situation
When you're coming down with flu all you can do is batten down the hatches and wait for it to pass. 得了流感以后，你所能做的就是做好心理准备，等它慢慢过去。
Phrasal verb
batten on someone 靠（别人）的财物养肥自己
to live well by using someone else's money
He's spent these last five years battening on a rich aunt of his. 过去这5年里他一直靠着一个富有的婶婶享福。