[ˈbat(ə)ri], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a container consisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of power
(e.g: a camera battery)

- a fortified emplacement for heavy guns
(e.g: anti-aircraft missile batteries)

- a set of similar units of equipment, typically when connected together
(e.g: a battery of equipment to monitor blood pressure)

- a series of small cages for the intensive rearing of farm animals, especially calves and poultry
(e.g: battery farming)

- the infliction of unlawful personal violence on another person, even where the contact does no physical harm
(e.g: any act which puts a person in immediate and reasonable fear of battery)

- the pitcher and the catcher


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: from Old French baterie, from battre ‘to strike’, from Latin battuere. The original sense was ‘metal articles wrought by hammering’, later ‘a number of pieces of artillery used together’, whence ‘a number of Leyden jars connected up so as to discharge simultaneously’ (mid 18th century), giving rise to battery