abate

[ uh-beyt ]

/ əˈbeɪt /

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

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

Law.

to put an end to or suppress (a nuisance).
to suspend or extinguish (an action).
to annul (a writ).

to deduct or subtract: to abate part of the cost.

to omit: to abate all mention of names.

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.

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.

Nearby words

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

SYNONYMS FOR abate

1. decrease, weaken. 6. subside.

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ANTONYMS FOR abate

1, 6. increase, intensify.

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Related forms

a·bat·a·ble, adjectivea·bat·er; Law. a·ba·tor, nounun·a·bat·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·bat·ing, adjective

un·a·bat·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for abate

That modern science has repeatedly affirmed their findings does little to abate the continuing doubt.
Shanin Specter on His 50 Years With the Single Bullet Theory|Shanin Specter|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps, under different circumstances, with other kinds of modern Jewish women, their anger might start to abate.
Talking to Women of the Wall's Ultra-Orthodox Teenage Protesters|Elisheva Goldberg|November 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To abate the overload, The Daily Beast created its first list of the best destinations on the Web.
Beast Best Awards: The Daily Beast Picks the Best of the Web||June 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Deficits will begin to shrink; the country's present desperate mood will abate.
4 Predictions For A Second Obama Term|David Frum|August 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The purge marked a bold effort by the Islamist leader to abate widespread anger over the attack.
Mohamed Morsi Stages a Risky Palace Coup Sacking Egyptian Army Chief|Vivian Salama|August 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Nor was he so illogical as to abate one item of his old confessions.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. XII (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
After this the ship began to ride more easily, though the hurricane continued until near sunset, when it began to abate.
Peter Trawl|W. H. G. Kingston
If there are not sufficient assets to pay the general legatees they must abate rateably.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1|Various
As soon as the storm began to abate Rachel said, “I think, Frank, it is time you began to use your gun.”
Winter Adventures of Three Boys|Egerton R. Young
Honour us so far, as to permit nothing to abate our love for you.
Alphonso and Marina|Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian

British Dictionary definitions for abate

abate

/ (əˈbeɪt) /

verb

to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etcthe storm has abated

(tr) law

to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
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

Word Origin and History for abate

abate

"put an end to" (c.1300); "to grow less, diminish in power or influence" (early 14c.), from Old French abattre "beat down, cast down," from Vulgar Latin *abbatere, from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + battuere "to beat" (see batter (v.)). Secondary sense of "to fell, slaughter" is in abatis and abattoir. Related: Abated; abating.

abate

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

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

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of abate

Examples from the Web for abate

abate

verb

Word Origin for abate

abate