The word "battened" is spelled with two "t" letters, despite being pronounced with only one. The phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈbætn̩d/. The first syllable "bat" is pronounced as usual, followed by a silent "t" which can cause spelling confusion. The second syllable "ten" is pronounced with a nasalized "n", hence represented with the symbol "n̩". So, if you're ever in doubt, remember that "battened" is spelled with two "t's" but pronounced with only one.
Battened is a verb derived from the noun "batten," which refers to a narrow strip of material used for various purposes. The action of battening can have different meanings depending on the context.
One use of the term is in the construction industry, where battening refers to the act of attaching or securing battens to a surface. Battens are commonly used to create a framework or support structure for other materials, such as roofing tiles or wall claddings. In this sense, battening involves fastening the strips firmly in place to create a stable and secure foundation.
In a different context, battening can also refer to the process of covering or securing with battens for protective purposes. For instance, in situations where a storm or extreme weather is expected, one may batten down the hatches, meaning to securely fasten all openings and coverings to protect a building or vessel from damage.
Additionally, the term "battened" can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is benefiting or profiting from a particular situation or circumstance. In this sense, if someone is said to have battened on another's misfortune, it means they are taking advantage or gaining some form of advantage from the other person's hardships.
Overall, battened encompasses the act of attaching or securing battens, protecting against adverse conditions, or metaphorically benefiting from a situation.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "battened" has its origins in the Middle English word "bat(t)oun" (also spelled "batton" or "batun"). It was derived from the Old French word "baton", meaning a stick or a staff. In Middle English, "bat(t)oun" referred to a club or a cudgel used as a weapon or for self-defense. Over time, the word "bat(t)oun" evolved and developed various meanings. In the late 15th and 16th centuries, it came to refer to wooden planks used for construction, fencing, or flooring. From there, "battened" emerged as the past participle form of "batten", which meant to fasten wooden planks together or secure something with a wooden strip.