Batfish
(Bat"fish`) n. (Zoöl.) A name given to several species of fishes: (a) The Malthe vespertilio of
the Atlantic coast. (b) The flying gurnard of the Atlantic (c) The California batfish or sting ray (Myliobatis
Californicus.)
Batfowler
(Bat"fowl`er) n. One who practices or finds sport in batfowling.
Batfowling
(Bat"fowl`ing) n. [From Bat a stick.] A mode of catching birds at night, by holding a torch
or other light, and beating the bush or perch where they roost. The birds, flying to the light, are caught
with nets or otherwise.
Batful
(Bat"ful) a. [Icel. bati amelioration, batna to grow better; akin to AS. bet better. Goth. ga-
batnan to profit. &radic255. Cf. Batten, v. i., Better.] Rich; fertile. [Obs.] "Batful valleys." Drayton.
Bath
(Bath) n.; pl. Baths [AS. bæð; akin to OS. & Icel. bað, Sw., Dan., D., & G. bad, and perh. to G.
bähen to foment.]
1. The act of exposing the body, or part of the body, for purposes of cleanliness, comfort, health, etc., to
water, vapor, hot air, or the like; as, a cold or a hot bath; a medicated bath; a steam bath; a hip bath.
2. Water or other liquid for bathing.
3. A receptacle or place where persons may immerse or wash their bodies in water.
4. A building containing an apartment or a series of apartments arranged for bathing.
Among the ancients, the public baths were of amazing extent and magnificence.
Gwilt.
5. (Chem.) A medium, as heated sand, ashes, steam, hot air, through which heat is applied to a body.
6. (Photog.) A solution in which plates or prints are immersed; also, the receptacle holding the solution.
Bath is used adjectively or in combination, in an obvious sense of or for baths or bathing; as, bathroom,
bath tub, bath keeper.
Douche bath. See Douche. — Order of the Bath, a high order of British knighthood, composed
of three classes, viz., knights grand cross, knights commanders, and knights companions, abbreviated
thus: G. C. B., K. C. B., K. B. — Russian bath, a kind of vapor bath which consists in a prolonged
exposure of the body to the influence of the steam of water, followed by washings and shampooings.
— Turkish bath, a kind of bath in which a profuse perspiration is produced by hot air, after which the
body is washed and shampooed. — Bath house, a house used for the purpose of bathing; — also a
small house, near a bathing place, where a bather undresses and dresses.
Bath
(Bath) n. [Heb.] A Hebrew measure containing the tenth of a homer, or five gallons and three
pints, as a measure for liquids; and two pecks and five quarts, as a dry measure.
