bate

¹

[ beyt ]

verb (used with object)

, bat·ed, bat·ing.

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)

, bat·ed, bat·ing.

1. to diminish or subside; abate.

bate

²

[ beyt ]

verb (used without object)

, bat·ed, bat·ing.

1. (of a hawk) to flutter its wings and attempt to escape in a fit of anger or fear.

noun

1. a state of violent anger or fear.

bate

³

[ beyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, bat·ed, bat·ing.

1. Tanning. to soak (leather) after liming in an alkaline solution to soften it and remove the lime.

noun

1. the solution used.

bate

¹

/ beɪt /

verb

1. to soak (skin or hides) in a special solution to soften them and remove chemicals used in previous treatments

noun

1. the solution used

bate

²

/ beɪt /

noun

1. slang.
   a bad temper or rage

bate

³

/ beɪt /

verb

1. another word for abate
2. with bated breath
   holding one's breath in suspense or fear

bate

⁴

/ beɪt /

verb

1. intr (of hawks) to jump violently from a perch or the falconer's fist, often hanging from the leash while struggling to escape

Word History and Origins

Origin of bate¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, shortening of abate

Origin of bate²

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English bat(t)en “to beat, stamp, flap (wings, etc.), peck, strike,” from Middle French (se) bat(t)re, ultimately from Latin battuere, battere, batuere “to beat, pound”; abate

Origin of bate³

First recorded in 1870–75; variant of beat “to pare off turf”; probably from Swedish beta “to tan”; cognate with German beizen “to tan, pickle;” bait ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bate¹

Old English bǣtan to bait ¹

Origin of bate²

C19: from bait ¹, alluding to the mood of a person who is being baited

Origin of bate³

C13: from Old French batre to beat, from Latin battuere ; related to bat ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. with bated breath. bated ( def 3 ).

Example Sentences

Finally, with the reservoir filled with water, I plugged in the pump and stood over my creation with bated breath.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a noticeable bating of breath as she acknowledged that she and Trump had their differences.

From BBC

This isn’t just the story of a young woman doing the seemingly impossible — it’s a mass media story taking place in a newly globalized world that’s collectively listening with bated breath.

From Los Angeles Times

And then, fans waited with bated breath anticipating the next move. Those on social media felt Lamar wasn't up for the fight, given he had yet to respond.

From BBC

And this region, and many capitals beyond, are watching and waiting with bated breath to see what Iran does next.

From BBC