Battledore
Also called battledore and shuttlecock. a game from which badminton was developed, played since ancient times in India and other Asian countries.
a light racket for striking the shuttlecock in this game.
a 17th- and 18th-century hornbook of wood or cardboard, used as a child’s primer.
to toss or fly back and forth:
to battledore the plan among one’s colleagues.
Historical Examples
She held it with one hand, as she poised her battledore with the other.
Not Like Other Girls Rosa N. Carey
The difference is that instead of racquet and ball, battledore and shuttlecock are used.
The Complete Bachelor Walter Germain
When my battledore and shuttle-cock comes, I’ll let you all play with ’em.
Little Men Louisa May Alcott
Why do we hear a noise when we strike the shuttlecock with the battledore?
The Reason Why Anonymous
After a long spell of work, the battledore is seized and the shuttlecock bounces up to the glass roof.
The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 30, June 1893 Various
But their especial delight was our battledore and shuttlecocks.
Intimate China Mrs. Archibald Little
Beginning with the New Year there came the great game with the girls of battledore and shuttlecock.
The Historical Child Oscar Chrisman
There is no battledore long enough to reach him in either way.
Narrative And Miscellaneous Papers Thomas De Quincey
The voice of the battledore is silent in the entrance-hall, and the shuttlecock sleeps.
Alas! Rhoda Broughton
Do you not feel that the girls should not be chucked about like balls from a battledore?
Ayala’s Angel Anthony Trollope
noun
Also called battledore and shuttlecock. an ancient racket game
a light racket, smaller than a tennis racket, used for striking the shuttlecock in this game
(formerly) a wooden utensil used for beating clothes, in baking, etc
n.
mid-15c., “bat-like implement used in washing clothes,” of unknown origin, perhaps from Old Provençal batedor, Spanish batidor “beater, bat,” from batir “to beat;” perhaps blended with Middle English betel “hammer, mallet.” As a trype of racket used in a game, from 1590s.
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