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abated - 2 dictionary results

a⋅bate

  [uh-beyt] verb, a⋅bat⋅ed, a⋅bat⋅ing.
Use abated in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish: to abate a tax; to abate one's enthusiasm.
2. Law.
a. to put an end to or suppress (a nuisance).
b. to suspend or extinguish (an action).
c. to annul (a writ).
3. to deduct or subtract: to abate part of the cost.
4. to omit: to abate all mention of names.
5. to remove, as in stone carving, or hammer down, as in metalwork, (a portion of a surface) in order to produce a figure or pattern in low relief.
–verb (used without object)
6. to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.: The storm has abated. The pain in his shoulder finally abated.
7. Law. to end; become null and void.
Origin:
1300–50; ME < MF abatre to beat down, equiv. to a- a- 5 + batre < LL batere for L battuere to beat; a- perh. also understood as a- 3

Related forms:
a⋅bat⋅a⋅ble, adjective
a⋅bat⋅er; Law. a⋅ba⋅tor, noun

Synonyms:
1. decrease, weaken. 6. subside.

Antonyms:
1, 6. increase, intensify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To abated
a·bate   (ə-bāt')   
v.   a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing, a·bates

v.   tr.
  1. To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; lessen. See Synonyms at decrease.
  2. To deduct from an amount; subtract.
  3. Law
    1. To put an end to.
    2. To make void.
v.   intr.
  1. To fall off in degree or intensity; subside.
  2. Law To become void.

[Middle English abaten, from Old French abattre, to beat down : a-, to (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + batre, to beat; see batter1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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