batty

Definition

Mad, crazy, silly.

Etymology

From bat + -y. In sense “insane”, attested 1903, from expression have bats in one's belfry, from tendency of bats to fly around erratically. Compare also batshit (“insane”) and squirrelly (“jumpy, eccentric”).

Example Sentences

• "On Sunday’s David Frost Show, Baroness Thatcher looked quite batty to me, eyes rolling."
• "And from each other look thou lead them thus Till o'er their brows death-counterfeiting sleep With leaden legs and batty wings doth creep."