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2 : insincere or overdone pathos

— ba·thet·ic adjective

bath·robe noun : a loose often absorbent robe worn before and after bathing or as a dressing gown

bath·room noun : a room containing a bathtub or shower and usu. a sink and toilet

Synonyms

lavatory, toilet—more at TOILET

bath·tub noun : a usu. fixed tub for bathing

ba·tik noun [ORIGIN: Javanese baṭik]

1 : an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed; also : a design so executed

2 : a fabric printed by batik

ba·tiste noun : a fine sheer fabric of plain weave

bat·man noun : an orderly of a British military officer

bat mitz·vah also bas mitzvah noun, often cap B&M [ORIGIN: Heb bath miṣwāh, lit., daughter of the (divine) law]

1 : a Jewish girl who at about 13 years of age assumes religious responsibilities

2 : the ceremony recognizing a girl as a bat mitzvah

ba·ton noun : STAFF, ROD; especially : a stick with which the leader directs an orchestra or band

bats·man noun : a batter esp. in cricket

bat·tal·ion noun 1 : a large body of troops organized to act together : ARMY

2 : a military unit composed of a headquarters and two or more units (as companies)

Synonyms

army, host, legion—more at ARMY

1batten verb 1 : to grow or make fat

2 : THRIVE

2batten noun : a strip of wood used esp. to seal or strengthen a joint

3batten verb : to fasten with battens

1batter verb : to beat or damage with repeated blows

Synonyms

bash, beat, bludgeon, club, pound, thrash, thump, wallop—more at BEAT

2batter noun : a soft mixture (as for cake) basically of flour and liquid

3batter noun : one that bats; especially : the player whose turn it is to bat

battering ram noun 1 : an ancient military machine for battering down walls

2 : a heavy metal bar with handles used to batter down doors

bat·tery noun, plural -ter·ies 1 : BEATING; especially : unlawful beating or use of force on a person

2 : a grouping of artillery pieces for tactical purposes; also : the guns of a warship

3 : a group of electric cells for furnishing electric current; also : a single electric cell

4 : a number of similar items grouped or used as a unit

5 : the pitcher and catcher of a baseball team

bat·ting noun : layers or sheets of cotton or wool (as for lining quilts)

1battle noun [ORIGIN: ME batel, fr. AF bataille battle, battalion, fr. LL battalia combat, alter. of battualia fencing exercises, fr. L battuere to beat]

1 : a general military engagement

2 : an extended contest, struggle, or controversy

Synonyms

fight, fray, scrabble, struggle—more at STRUGGLE

combat, conflict, confrontation, contest, rivalry, struggle, tug-of-war, warfare—more at CONTEST

2battle verb bat·tled; bat·tling 1 : to engage in battle : FIGHT

2 : to contend with full strength, vigor, skill, or resources

Synonyms

[1] clash, combat, fight, scrimmage, skirmish, war—more at FIGHT

[2] combat, contend, counter, fight, oppose—more at FIGHT

bat·tle–ax noun 1 : a long-handled ax formerly used as a weapon

2 : a quarrelsome domineering woman

battle fatigue noun : COMBAT FATIGUE

bat·tle·field noun : a place where a battle is fought

bat·tle·ment noun : a decorative or defensive parapet on top of a wall

bat·tle·ship noun : a warship of the most heavily armed and armored class

bat·tle·wag·on noun : BATTLESHIP

bat·ty adjective bat·ti·er; -est : disordered in mind : CRAZY

bau·ble noun : a small ornament (as a jewel or ring) : TRINKET

Synonyms

curiosity, gewgaw, knickknack, novelty, ornamental, trinket—more at KNICKKNACK

baud noun, plural baud also bauds : a unit of data transmission speed

baux·ite noun : a clayey mixture that is the chief ore of aluminum

bawd noun 1 : MADAM 2

2 : PROSTITUTE

bawdy adjective bawd·i·er; -est : offensive to morality or virtue : LEWD

— bawd·i·ly adverb

Synonyms

coarse, crude,