Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Worn smooth or bare by repeated treading or use: Describes a surface, especially a path or track, that has become smooth, bare, or clearly defined due to frequent use.
   • Shaped or made thin by hammering: Describes metal that has been worked into a desired form or thin sheet through the process of hammering.
   • Defeated or overcome: Describes someone or something that has been vanquished in a contest, struggle, or conflict. (This meaning is directly derived from the past participle of the verb 'beat').

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • We followed the beaten path through the woods. (We followed the well-worn, frequently used path through the woods.)
  • The artisan crafted a beautiful bowl from beaten copper. (The artisan crafted a beautiful bowl from copper that had been shaped by hammering.)
  • The beaten army retreated from the field. (The defeated army retreated from the battlefield.)

Advanced Usage

• "the beaten track": A commonly used or conventional path, route, or method. Often used in the negative ("off the beaten track") to describe something unusual, unconventional, or less frequented.
  • Tourists rarely visit villages that are off the beaten track.
• "beaten gold/silver": Gold or silver that has been hammered into a thin leaf or foil, often for decorative purposes.
  • The ancient manuscript was adorned with beaten gold.

Variants and Related Words

• Beat (verb): To strike repeatedly; to defeat.
• Beater (noun): A person or thing that beats; a device for beating.
• Beating (noun): An act of physical striking; a defeat.

Synonyms

• Worn: Impaired or made thin by wear or friction.
• Hammered: Shaped or worked with a hammer.
• Defeated: Overcome in a battle or other contest.

Related Phrases

• Beaten down: Physically worn out or subdued; (of a price) reduced significantly through negotiation.
  • The grass was beaten down by the heavy rain.
  • I bought it at a beaten-down price.
• Beaten up: Damaged or worn out from hard use; assaulted physically.
  • He was driving a beaten-up old car.
  • The victim was badly beaten up.

Related Idioms

• Beaten at the post: Defeated at the very last moment, especially in a race or competition.
  • Our team was beaten at the post by a last-second goal.
• Take a beaten path: To follow a conventional or well-established course of action.
  • In his research, he preferred to take a beaten path rather than explore radical new theories.

Adjective

1. much trodden and worn smooth or bare
   • did not stray from the beaten path
2. formed or made thin by hammering
   • beaten gold