Batteling

/ˈbætəlɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The practice of purchasing food and drink on credit at Oxford or Cambridge University, to be paid for later.

Etymology

From the verb 'battel' plus the gerund suffix '-ing.' This describes the entire system of provisioning at Oxbridge universities.

Kelly Says

The batteling system at Oxford and Cambridge was basically a institutional meal-plan system that lasted for centuries—it shows how universities created their own economic ecosystems separate from the surrounding town.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.