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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BAT,¹ BATT, n. and v. [bɑt]

1. n.

(1) A staple or loop of iron.Ags. 1761 in D. Grewar Story of Glenisla (1926) 154:
To William Nicol for batts to the bellhouse £1. 4.Edb. 1704 Burgh Rec. Edb. (1967) 75: 
The raile upon the east syde [of St Giles steeple] neids severall batts and cratching.Gsw. 1701 Records Burgh Glasgow (ed. Marwick 1908) 340:
Item, to James Stirling, merchan, for lead to fasten the batts of the doors.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
Bats and bands, a description of rude hinges, consisting of a hook which is driven into the door-frame, and a strap with an eye which is nailed to the door, so that the door can at any time be lifted off its hinges. [Given also in J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 8.]

(2) (See quot.)Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 8:
Bats, sometimes used to denote the hard part of the holing under a seam.

(3) A lead wedge for securing lead flashings in the joints of masonry (Sc. 1972 J. Hastings Plumber's Companion 34). Comb. bat-hole, a crevice made in stonework for the insertion of bats. Sc. 1876 W. P. Buchan Plumbing 36: 
To hold the apron into the joints of the bricks, lead bats can be used in some good brickwork.Per. 1843 Trans. Highl. Soc. 112: 
All bat-holes to be cut, and the beamfilling of wall-heads in rubble, with mortar, is likewise to be done by the mason.

2. v. (See quot.); to drive a lead wedge into masonry. Hence batting-iron, a blunt chisel used for this purpose (Sc. 1972 J. Hastings Plumber's Companion 34).Cai. 1905 D. Nicolson in E.D.D. Suppl.:
Bat. To fix against a wall, etc. with hold-fasts.Fif. 1868 St Andrews Gaz. (23 May): 
The vane was struck down by the lightening, and one of the iron wire guy rods which was batted into the cope of the dyke torn out.