What does battery refer to in legal terms?

The term "battery" in legal terms specifically refers to the act of touching another person without their consent, which can or cannot lead to physical harm. This unlawful physical action includes any hostile or offensive contact with someone, regardless of the severity of the harm caused. Consent is a fundamental element in differentiating battery from other actions; without the individual's agreement, any touching may constitute battery.

In contrast, the other options describe different legal concepts. Threatening to harm someone aligns more closely with assault, which involves the intention to create an apprehension of harmful or offensive contact. Deceiving someone for personal gain refers to fraud, which is a dishonest act meant to secure an unfair or unlawful gain. Making false statements verbally pertains to defamation or slander, depending on whether the statements are written or spoken. Each of these actions involves different legal implications and does not relate specifically to battery, which is primarily concerned with unauthorized physical contact.