abate

[ uh-beyt ]
/ əˈbeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR abate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

verb (used without object), a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.: The storm has abated. The pain in his shoulder finally abated.
Law. to end; become null and void.

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Question 1 of 7
What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
to cause to be empty or unoccupied.
to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
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Origin of abate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM abate

Words nearby abate

abash, abashed, abasia, abasia-astasia, abasia trepidans, abate, abatement, abatis, abat-jour, abator, abattage
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to abate

slow, slacken, ebb, wane, dwindle, recede, taper, subside, decrease, diminish, dull, taper off, decline, subdue, reduce, coast, quell, allay, moderate, cool

Example sentences from the Web for abate

British Dictionary definitions for abate

abate
/ (əˈbeɪt) /

verb

to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etcthe storm has abated
(tr) law
  1. to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
  2. to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
  3. to annul (a writ)
(intr) law (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void
(tr) to subtract or deduct, as part of a price

Word Origin for abate

C14: from Old French abatre to beat down, fell
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012