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ba·tik

(bə-tēk, bătĭk)

a. A method of dyeing a fabric by which the parts of the fabric not intended to be dyed are covered with removable wax.

b. A design that is created by this method.

2. Fabric dyed by this method.

tr.v. ba·tiked, ba·tik·ing, ba·tiks

To dye (fabric) using this method: batiked a T-shirt.

[Malay batek, of Javanese origin, from Proto-Austronesian *beCík, tattoo (from the fact that the original process of piercing the waxed cloth prior to soaking was similar to tattooing).]

(click for a larger image)

batik

detail of a batiked textile

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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