definitions

abate

[ uh-beyt ]
/ əˈbeɪt /
||

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.

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

abasia, abasia trepidans, abasia-astasia, abat-jour, abatage, abate, abatement, abatis, abator, abattage, abattoir

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.

ANTONYMS FOR abate

1, 6 increase, intensify.

Related forms

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

Examples from the Web for abates

British Dictionary definitions for abates

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