n. (Zool.) A name given to several species of fishes: (a) The Malthe vespertilio of the Atlantic coast. (b) The flying gurnard of the Atlantic (Cephalacanthus spinarella). (c) The California batfish or sting ray (Myliobatis Californicus.) [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who practices or finds sport in batfowling. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Bat a stick. ] A mode of catching birds at night, by holding a torch or other light, and beating the bush or perch where they roost. The birds, flying to the light, are caught with nets or otherwise. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Icel. bati amelioration, batna to grow better; akin to AS. bet better. Goth. ga-batnan to profit. √255. Cf. Batten, v. i., Better. ] Rich; fertile. [ Obs. ] “Batful valleys.” Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Boatfuls. The quantity or amount that fills a boat. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A rope used in hoisting the anchor to the cathead. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A name given in the United States to various species of siluroid fishes; as, the yellow cat (Amiurus natalis); the bind cat (Gronias nigrilabrus); the mud cat (Pilodictic oilwaris), the stone cat (Noturus flavus); the sea cat (Arius felis), etc. This name is also sometimes applied to the wolf fish. See Bullhrad. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of entreaty. [ R. ] See Intreatful. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) Any fish of the family Pleuronectidæ; esp., the winter flounder (Pleuronectes Americanus). The flatfishes have the body flattened, swim on the side, and have eyes on one side, as the flounder, turbot, and halibut. See Flounder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a police officer, especially a foot patrolman. [ slang ] [ PJC ]

(Med.) A foot in which the arch of the instep is flattened so that the entire sole of the foot rests upon the ground; also, the deformity, usually congential, exhibited by such a foot; splayfoot. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A fish of the genus Upeneus, inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico. It is allied to the surmullet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of entreaty. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ W. madfelen. ] (Bot.) The knapweed (Centaurea nigra). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Plat, a. + -form: cf. F. plateforme. ] 1. A plat; a plan; a sketch; a model; a pattern. Used also figuratively. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A place laid out after a model. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

lf the platform just reflects the order. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any flat or horizontal surface; especially, one that is raised above some particular level, as a framework of timber or boards horizontally joined so as to form a roof, or a raised floor, or portion of a floor; a landing; a dais; a stage, for speakers, performers, or workmen; a standing place. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A declaration of the principles upon which a person, a sect, or a party proposes to stand; a declared policy or system; as, the Saybrook platform; a political platform. “The platform of Geneva.” Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Naut.) A light deck, usually placed in a section of the hold or over the floor of the magazine. See Orlop. [ 1913 Webster ]

Platform car, a railway car without permanent raised sides or covering; a f&unr_;at. --
Platform scale, a weighing machine, with a flat platform on which objects are weighed. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To place on a platform. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To form a plan of; to model; to lay out. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Church discipline is platformed in the Bible. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) Same as Rat-tail. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Furnishing or serving as a retreat. [ R. ] “Our retreatful flood.” Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } (Zool.) (a) The wolf fish. (b) Any marine siluroid fish, as Aelurichthys marinus, and Arinus felis, of the eastern coast of the United States. Many species are found on the coasts of Central and South America. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. dial. G. scheid, schaid, schaiden. ] (Zool.) A European siluroid fish (Silurus glanis) allied to the cat-fishes. It is the largest fresh-water fish of Europe, sometimes becoming six feet or more in length. See Siluroid. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of threats; having a menacing appearance. Spenser. -- Threat"ful*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n.; pl. Vatfuls As much as a vat will hold; enough to fill a vat. [ 1913 Webster ]