bate

¹

[beyt]

verb (used with object)

bated, bating 

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)

bated, bating 

1. to diminish or subside; abate.

bate

²

[beyt]

verb (used without object)

bated, bating 

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)

bated, bating 

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. another word for abate

2. holding one's breath in suspense or fear

bate

²

/ 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

³

/ 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

bate

⁴

/ beɪt /

noun

1. slang,  a bad temper or rage

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

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

Origin of bate³

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. with bated breath. bated.

Example Sentences

And of course the supporters, who no doubt waited with bated breath at each stage of the contract renewal talks which eventually resulted in no deal being struck.

From BBC

Outside the Dream Stage tryout room, Jaelyn Jones waits with bated breath.

From Los Angeles Times

“People are waiting with bated breath,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

I think we’re all also waiting with bated breath to see how hard you will go.

From Los Angeles Times

"Wisdom seems to pique the interest of people across the world. We wait each year with bated breath for her return."

From BBC