battery
battery
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "battery" is /ˈbætəri/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
bat: /bæt/
/b/ as in "ball"
/æ/ as in "cat"
/t/ as in "top"
ter: /tər/ or /tɛr/ (The /ər/ is often realized as a syllabic /r/ in American English, especially in unstressed syllables.)
/t/ as in "top"
/ə/ (schwa) as in "about" or /ɛ/ as in "bed" (variation in pronunciation)
/r/ as in "red" (or syllabic /r/)
y: /i/ as in "see"
Word Form Variations
The word "battery" has the following word form variations:
Singular: battery
Plural: batteries
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy, typically used as a power source.
Synonyms: cell, accumulator, power pack, energy storage device
Antonyms: (While there isn't a direct antonym, you could use terms related to energy depletion or powerlessness) dead battery, depleted cell, no power
Definition: A group of similar things used together.
Synonyms: collection, set, array, series, cluster, group
Antonyms: individual, single item, one-off
Definition: (Law) The intentional and unwanted physical contact with another person.
Synonyms: assault (in some contexts, though assault implies the threat), striking, beating, physical violence, unlawful touching
Antonyms: (Again, no direct antonym, but terms like) peace, harmony, non-violence, gentle contact, consent
(Archaic) Definition: A fortified platform or emplacement for artillery.
Synonyms: fortification, gun emplacement, artillery platform, redoubt
Antonyms: (Difficult to find a true antonym, perhaps terms relating to open or undefended areas) open ground, undefended position, exposed area
Verb:
Definition: To equip with batteries.
Synonyms: power, energize, charge (in some contexts), connect
Antonyms: discharge, deplete, drain, disconnect
(Law) Definition: To strike or hit someone physically.
Synonyms: assault, beat, hit, strike, batter, physically abuse
Antonyms: protect, defend, shield, avoid (physical contact), treat gently
Adjective:
(While "battery" isn't commonly used as an adjective, you could create a descriptive phrase or use it attributively)
Example: battery-powered (functioning by means of a battery)
Synonyms: electric, powered, energized
Antonyms: manual, unpowered, hand-operated
Examples of Use
Noun (electrical device):
"My phone's battery is almost dead. I need to find a charger." (General public discourse)
"Tesla is a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles and batteries." (Business news - Reuters, e.g., search Reuters for "Tesla batteries")
"The remote control needs new batteries." (General public discourse/product instructions)
"The study examined the performance of lithium-ion batteries under extreme temperatures." (Scientific journal - search for articles on battery research)
"The novel featured a futuristic world powered by advanced batteries." (Fiction - search for science fiction novels mentioning batteries)
Noun (collection/group):
"A battery of tests was administered to the patients." (Medical context - search for medical publications using this phrase)
"The lawyer faced a battery of questions from the press." (News reporting - search news articles for this phrasing)
"The chef prepared a battery of sauces to accompany the meal." (Food writing/review - search for restaurant reviews or cookbooks)
"A battery of artillery fire rained down on the enemy position." (Historical or military writing – search for historical accounts of battles)
Noun (legal - unlawful touching):
"He was charged with battery for striking the other person." (Legal news - search for legal news articles mentioning "battery" charges)
"The victim claimed battery in the civil lawsuit." (Legal context - search for legal documents or discussions of tort law)
"The judge instructed the jury on the elements of battery." (Court proceedings - search for transcripts or reports of court cases)
Verb (to equip with batteries):
"The toy is batteried and ready to play." (Product description - search for toy instructions)
(Less common usage) "They batteried the house with solar panels." (Environmental or construction context - search for articles about solar energy installation)
Verb (legal - to strike):
"He was accused of batterying his neighbor during an argument." (Legal news - search for crime reports or court news)
10 Famous Quotes Using Battery
"The mind is a battery that constantly needs recharging." — Unknown (Commonly used in motivational or mental wellness contexts.)
"Justice is the battery that powers democracy." — Unknown political commentator (Paraphrased concept connecting energy and justice.)
"Every insult is a battery against the spirit, unless discharged in laughter." — Samuel Johnson (paraphrased)
"The Constitution is not a battery that can be charged and discharged by whim—it is the core circuitry of a free society." — Legal commentary, U.S. Supreme Court debates
"She had the energy of a solar-powered battery in a thunderstorm—always on." — Descriptive metaphor from fiction (multiple attributions)
"Assault is the threat. Battery is the touch." — Law school proverb (Used to teach the legal distinction between assault and battery.)
"Hope is the battery of the human soul." — Philosophical saying, often found in inspirational writing
"You can’t run on an empty battery forever, even if your ambition tells you otherwise." — Arianna Huffington (paraphrased from Thrive)
"Like a battery, we must both discharge and recharge, or we cease to function." — Work-life balance advocacy slogan
"The human body is a battery of bioelectric energy, constantly producing and reacting." — Nikola Tesla (attributed but apocryphal)
Etymology
The word "battery" has a fascinating history, and its current meaning related to electrical devices is actually quite a departure from its original sense.
It all starts with the Old French word "baterie," which meant "beating" or "striking." Think of the action of hitting something repeatedly. This "beating" meaning is the core of the word's origin.
This Old French word came from the Latin "battuere," also meaning "to beat" or "to strike." So, the idea of physical striking is central to the word's roots.
The first recorded uses of "battery" in English, around the 14th century, reflected this original meaning. It referred to the act of beating or striking, especially in a military context. For example, a "battery" could be a series of blows in a fight or a concentrated attack.
Over time, the meaning evolved. In the 15th and 16th centuries, "battery" started to be used for a collection of things that were used for striking, most notably in warfare. A "battery" of cannons, for instance, was a group of cannons positioned together for firing. This is the sense of "battery" as a collection or set that we still use today in phrases like "a battery of tests."
It wasn't until the late 18th century that the connection to electricity emerged. Scientists like Benjamin Franklin were experimenting with storing electrical charge. They used the term "battery" to describe a collection of Leyden jars (early devices for storing static electricity) because these jars, when grouped together, could deliver a more powerful "electrical strike" or discharge. The idea of a group of things working together to produce a powerful effect carried over from the military meaning.
So, the path is: "beating/striking" (Old French/Latin) -> "act of striking/series of blows" (early English) -> "collection of striking things (cannons)" -> "collection of electrical storage devices."
In short, the modern electrical "battery" gets its name from the historical sense of "beating" and "striking," via the concept of a "collection" of things. It's a great example of how word meanings can change and evolve over time!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Battery
Literal/Related to electrical devices:
Battery life: This refers to the amount of time a device can run on a single charge. It's a very common phrase, but not technically an idiom.
Rechargeable battery: Again, common usage, not an idiom.
Dead battery: A straightforward description of a battery that no longer functions.
Low battery: A warning that a battery is running out of power.
Metaphorical (energy/power):
My batteries are low/drained: This is a very common idiom meaning someone is tired, exhausted, or lacking energy.
Recharge my batteries: This idiom means to rest and recuperate to regain energy.
Running on fumes/empty: A related idiom expressing extreme fatigue or lack of resources. (Synonym for "batteries low")
Full of energy/pep/vim and vigor: These are antonyms of "batteries low," describing someone with high energy levels.
Get a charge out of something: This means to enjoy something or find it stimulating, using "charge" metaphorically.
Power through: To continue despite difficulties, implying drawing on inner reserves of energy. (Related to the idea of a battery powering a device)
Fire up/get fired up: To become energized or enthusiastic about something, using "fire" as a metaphor for power. (Synonym for being "charged up")
Legal context:
Assault and battery: In law, this phrase refers to the combination of threatening physical harm (assault) and actually making physical contact (battery). This is a specific legal term.
Why few direct "battery" idioms?
The reason "battery" doesn't generate many direct idioms is that its core literal meaning (electrical device) is quite specific. Idioms often arise from more general or abstract concepts. The metaphorical use of "battery" for personal energy is much more fertile ground for idiomatic expression because energy is a more abstract and widely applicable concept. We use the idea of a battery to represent our own internal power source.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of battery from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
