Definition

1. Noun:
   • An ancient racket game: A game played with a racket and a shuttlecock, considered a precursor to modern badminton.
   • A light long-handled racket: The specific type of racket used in the game of battledore or in early forms of badminton.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In the 18th century, children often played battledore on the lawn.
  • The museum displayed an antique battledore made of wood and parchment.

Advanced Usage

• "battledore and shuttlecock": This phrase names the complete game, referring to the activity of hitting a shuttlecock back and forth with rackets.
  • Before badminton was formalized, people enjoyed the simpler game of battledore and shuttlecock.

Variants and Related Words

• Shuttlecock (n): The lightweight projectile, often with a cork base and feathers, used in battledore and badminton.
  • The shuttlecock flew over the net.

Synonyms

• Racket: A general term for an implement with a handle and an open hoop strung with cord, used to hit a ball or shuttlecock.
• Bat: A shaped wooden implement used for hitting the ball in games like cricket or table tennis (though design differs).

Related Phrases

• Play battledore: To engage in the game.
  • They would play battledore for hours.

Related Idioms

• Like a game of battledore and shuttlecock: Used metaphorically to describe a situation where responsibility or blame is passed back and forth between parties.
  • The argument became a tedious game of battledore and shuttlecock, with neither side accepting fault.

Noun

1. an ancient racket game
2. a light long-handled racket used by badminton players