Nearby Words
noun
Idiom1.
2.
an opening that serves as a doorway or window in the floor or roof of a building.
3.
the cover over such an opening.
4.
Slang. the throat as used for drinking: His usual toast was a muttered “Down the hatch!”
5.
EXPANDAeronautics. an opening or door in an aircraft.
6.
the lower half of a divided door, both parts of which can be opened separately.
7.
a small door, grated opening, or serving counter in or attached to the wall of a building, room, etc., as for a merchant's stall.
8.
a bin or compartment built into a confined space, especially a deep storage bin.
9.
10.
COLLAPSEanything resembling a hatch.
11.
batten down the/one's hatches,
a.
Nautical. prepare for stormy weather: used as a command.
b.
to prepare to meet an emergency or face a great difficulty: The government must batten down its hatches before the election.
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Batten down the hatches
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Origin:
before 1100; Middle English hacche, Old English hæcc grating, hatch, half-gate; akin to Dutch hek gate, railing
before 1100; Middle English hacche, Old English hæcc grating, hatch, half-gate; akin to Dutch hek gate, railing
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To batten down the hatches
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
hatch
"drawn fine parallel lines," 1389, from O.Fr. hacher "chop, hatch," from hache "axe" (see hatchet).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
batten down the hatches
Prepare for trouble, as in Here comes the boss
batten down the hatches. This term originated in the navy, where it signified preparing for a storm by fastening down canvas over doorways and hatches (openings) with strips of wood called battens. [Late 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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