batting
UK: ˈbætɪŋ | US: ˈbætɪŋ
n. 1. The action of hitting a ball with a bat in sports like cricket or baseball.
n. 2. Cotton or wool fiber prepared in sheets, used for stuffing quilts or padding.
v. (present participle of bat) 1. To strike or hit with a bat.
batting = bat<hitting tool/stick> + ing<present participle suffix>
- bat: Derived from Old English batt (club, cudgel), likely of Celtic origin. Evolved to mean a tool for striking in sports.
- ing: A suffix forming present participles or gerunds, indicating ongoing action or material (e.g., "running," "stuffing").
Etymology Origin:
The word batting splits neatly into bat + ing, reflecting its dual origins. The root bat traces back to early tools for hitting, while -ing marks it as an action (hitting) or a material (fiber). In sports, it emphasizes the act of striking; in textiles, it denotes processed fiber layers, metaphorically "beaten" into shape.
His batting average improved after rigorous practice.
She layered the quilt with soft cotton batting.
The team’s batting performance won the match.
The artisan replaced the old batting in the mattress.
Batting practice is essential for cricket players.