abate

[ uh-beyt ]

verb (used with object)

, a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

1. to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish: to abate one's enthusiasm.

   to abate a tax;

   to abate one's enthusiasm.

   Synonyms: weaken, decrease

   Antonyms: intensify, increase

2. Law.
   1. to put an end to or suppress (a nuisance).
   2. to suspend or extinguish (an action).
   3. 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)

, a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

1. to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.: The pain in his shoulder finally abated.

   The storm has abated.

   The pain in his shoulder finally abated.

   Synonyms: subside

   Antonyms: intensify, increase

2. Law. to end; become null and void.

abate

/ əˈbeɪt /

verb

1. to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etc

   the storm has abated

2. tr law
   1. to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
   2. to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
   3. to annul (a writ)
3. intr law (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void
4. tr to subtract or deduct, as part of a price

Other Words From

• a·bat·a·ble adjective
• a·bat·er Law. a·ba·tor noun
• un·a·bat·a·ble adjective
• un·a·bat·ing adjective
• un·a·bat·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of abate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French abatre “to beat down,” equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + batre, from Late Latin batere for Latin battuere “to beat”; a- perhaps also understood as a- ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of abate¹

C14: from Old French abatre to beat down, fell

Related Words

• decrease
• diminish
• dwindle
• ebb
• recede
• slacken
• subside
• taper
• taper off
• wane