Abate Meaning

/əˈbeɪt/
C2

Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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verbTo lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate.

verbTo reduce (something) in amount or size.

The storm didn't abate for several hours.
This action would not have been sufficient to abate the odor nuisance.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the storm passed, the strong winds began to ____ gradually.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Scientists hope that the storm will ____ before it reaches land.

From Middle English abaten, from Anglo-Norman abatre, from Late Latin abbattere, from Latin battere. detailed etymology, sense derivation, and cognates The verb is derived from Middle English abaten (“to demolish, knock down; to defeat, strike down; to strike or take down (a sail); to throw down; to bow dejectedly or submissively; to be dejected; to stop; to defeat, humiliate; to repeal (a law); to dismiss or quash (a lawsuit); to lessen, reduce; to injure, impair; to appease; to decline, grow less; to deduct, subtract; to make one’s way; attack (an enemy); (law) to enter or intrude upon (someone’s property); of a hawk: to beat or flap the wings”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman abater, abatier, abatre, abbatre, Middle French abattre, abatre, abattre, Old French abatre, abattre (“to demolish, knock down; to bring down, cut down; to lessen, reduce; to suppress; to stop; to discourage; to impoverish, ruin; to conquer; to overthrow; to kill; to remove (money) from circulation; (law) to annul”), from Late Latin abbattere (“to bring down, take down; to suppress; to debase (currency)”), from Latin ab- (prefix meaning ‘away; from; away from’) + Latin battere, from older battuere (“to beat, hit; to beat up; to fight”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰedʰ- (“to dig; to stab”)). The noun is derived from the verb.

"[Jupiter] whiche by his goodnes as Marcianus ſaieth, abateth the malice of Saturne. Therfore the Poets faine, that he did put his father out of his kingdome, Iſidore writeth as he abateth the malice of the euill Planets, […]" — 1576, Gerard Legh, “Azure”, in The Accedens of Armory, London: […] Richard Tottel, →OCLC, folios 6, verso – 7, recto:
"Abate thy rage ſweete knight, Abate thy rage." — 1599, [William Shakespeare], The Cronicle History of Henry the Fift, […] (First Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Tho[mas] Millington, and Iohn Busby, […], published 1600, →OCLC:
"By the oft removal of a Wild-ſtock, cutting the ends of the Roots, and diſ-branching ſomewhat of the Head at every change of place, it will greatly abate of its natural wildneſs, and in time bring forth more civil and ingenuous Fruit: […]" — 1664, J[ohn] E[velyn], “Pomona, or An Appendix Concerning Fruit-trees, in Relation to Cider, […]. Chapter VI. Of Transplanting, and Distance.”, in Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-trees and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesties Dominions. […], London: […] Jo[hn] Martyn, and Ja[mes] Allestry, printers to the Royal Society, […], →OCLC, page 17:
"And it is to be noted that in the sharpest of his extreme fits he [George Herbert] would often say, 'Lord, abate my great affliction, or increase my patience; but, Lord, I repine not; I am dumb, Lord, before Thee, because Thou doest it.'" — 1670, Izaack Walton [i.e., Izaak Walton], “The Life of Mr George Herbert. […]”, in George Herbert, edited by Alexander B[alloch] Grosart, The Complete Works in Verse and Prose of George Herbert. […] (The Fuller Worthies’ Library), volume III (Prose), London: […] [Robson and Sons] for private circulation, published 1874, →OCLC, page 36:
"In the one period, an hundred and fifty years of peace between the two nations, the habit of being ſubjected to the ſame King, and governed by the ſame maxims, had conſiderably abated old animoſities, and prepared both people for incorporating." — 1759, William Robertson, “Book II”, in The History of Scotland, during the Reigns of Queen Mary and of King James VI, till His Accession to the Crown of England. […], volume I, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar […], →OCLC, page 86:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
After the storm passed, the strong winds began to ____ gradually.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Scientists hope that the storm will ____ before it reaches land.

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