<p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>to thrive by feeding; grow fat</li><li>to feed gluttonously or greedily; glut oneself</li><li>to thrive, prosper, or live in luxury, especially at the expense of others: robber barons who battened on poor workers</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object):</strong></p><ul><li>to cause to thrive by or as if by feeding; fatten</li></ul>