battel

[ bat-l ]

noun

1. an account with or terminal bill from a college of Oxford University for board, kitchen, and buttery expenses.
2. battels, expenses, bills, and accounts of a student at Oxford, including those for clothing, books, and personal expenses as well as for tuition, lodging, and food.

verb (used without object)

, bat·teled, bat·tel·ing.

1. to have an account with or to be supplied with food and drink from a college kitchen or buttery at Oxford University.

Other Words From

• battel·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of battel¹

First recorded 1700–10; of uncertain origin; compare New Latin batillī, battillī, batellae, probably to be identified with late Middle English batell, battle, taken to mean “charge for provisions”; kinship with Scots, northern England dialect ba(i)ttle “rich, fattening (of pasture)” is dubious

Example Sentences

Despite the worries of a backlash, Apple has emerged largely unscathed from Trump’s battel with China, enabling it to boost its market value above $2 trillion amid the pandemic.

From Washington Times

Eefje Battel, a project manager at the Sports Innovation Campus at the Howest University of Applied Sciences in Bruges, Belgium, uses Makey Makey in several of the center’s exergame projects for children.

From New York Times

Ms. Battel created a version of Tetris, the ’80s puzzle game in which falling blocks are manipulated to fit them in a straight line.

From New York Times

Regardless of the fun factor, exergames are not without risks, Ms. Battel said.

From New York Times

Gary Battel, 70, and Sue Muller, 60, said they had never heard of the Green Book or realized how bad it had been for African American travelers.

From Washington Post