bat

Any flying mammal of the order Chiroptera, usually small and nocturnal, insectivorous or frugivorous.

The Bat—they called him the Bat. Like a bat he chose the night hours for his work of rapine; like a bat he struck and vanished, pouncingly, noiselessly; like a bat he never showed himself to the face of the day.

As well as being worth millions of dollars to the Texan agriculture industry, these mammals are worth millions of dollars to the state’s tourism industry. Texas is home to the world’s largest known bat colony (in Comal County), and the world’s largest urban bat colony (in Austin). Bat watching is a common activity, with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offering more bat-viewing sites than anywhere else in the US.

An old woman.

"Isn't it lovely?" I smiled and thought: "Yes it is. It's also a Blackbird, you silly old bat!

A club, made of wood like a baseball bat or otherwise, used as a weapon

A club made of wood or aluminium used for striking the ball in sports such as baseball, softball and cricket.

A turn at hitting the ball with a bat in a game.

You've been in for ages. Can I have a bat now?

A player rated according to skill in batting.

He's a good fielder and a valuable bat.

The piece of wood on which the spinner places the coins and then uses for throwing them.

To hit with a bat or (figuratively) as if with a bat.

He batted the ball away with a satisfying thwack.

We batted a few ideas around.

To take a turn at hitting a ball with a bat in sports like cricket, baseball and softball, as opposed to fielding.

To strike or swipe as though with a bat.

The cat batted at the toy.

To bate or flutter, as a hawk.