verb (used with object)
1.
to moderate or restrain: unable to bate our enthusiasm.
2.
to lessen or diminish; abate: setbacks that bated his hopes.
verb (used without object)
Idioms 3.
to diminish or subside; abate.
4.
with bated breath, with breath drawn in or held because of anticipation or suspense: We watched with bated breath as the runners approached the finish line.
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Bate
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to bark; yelp. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1.
Tanning. to soak (leather) after liming in an alkaline solution to soften it and remove the lime.
noun
2.
the solution used.
Origin:
1870–75; variant of beat to pare off turf, Old English bǣtan to bait; cognate with Swedish beta to tan, German beissen to macerate
1870–75; variant of beat to pare off turf, Old English bǣtan to bait; cognate with Swedish beta to tan, German beissen to macerate
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To bate
Collins
World English Dictionary
bate1 (beɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | another word for abate |
| 2. | with bated breath holding one's breath in suspense or fear |
| bate2 (beɪt) | |
| —vb | |
| (intr) (of hawks) to jump violently from a perch or the falconer's fist, often hanging from the leash while struggling to escape | |
| [C13: from Old French batre to beat, from Latin battuere; related to | |
| bate3 (beɪt) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to soak (skin or hides) in a special solution to soften them and remove chemicals used in previous treatments |
| —n | |
| 2. | the solution used |
| [Old English bǣtan to | |
| bate4 (beɪt) | |
| —n | |
| slang (Brit) a bad temper or rage | |
| [C19: from | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
bate
"to reduce, to lessen in intensity," c.1300, aphetic of abate (q.v.). Now only in phrase bated breath, which was used by Shakespeare in "The Merchant of Venice" (1596).
bate
c.1300, "to contend with blows or arguments," from O.Fr. batre "to hit, beat, strike," from L.L. battere, from L. batuere "to beat, knock" (see batter (v.)). In falconry, "to beat the wings impatiently and flutter away from the perch." Figurative sense of "to flutter downward" attested from 1580s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Exchange all exhibits and bate stamp them for identification.
Bate's makes his baskets from various reclaimed woods.
The more to feel, by such record, how that my wealth doth bate.
Bate had therefore little option but to agree to a meeting with the irate soldier.
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