• Abate

    Pronunciation

    • RP IPA: /əˈbeɪt/
    • GenAm IPA: /əˈbeɪt/
    • Rhymes: -eɪt

    Origin 1

    From Middle English abaten, from Old French abatre ("to beat down") (possibly via Middle French), from Late Latin abbatto, from ab- ("away") + batto, from Latin battuere ("to beat"). Cognate to modern French abattre.

    Full definition of abate

    Verb

    1. (transitive, obsolete except legal) To put an end to; To cause to cease. First attested from around (1150 to 1350).to abate a nuisance
    2. (intransitive) To become null and void. First attested in the late 15th century.The writ has abated.
    3. (transitive, legal) To nullify; make void. First attested in the late 15th century.to abate a writ
    4. (transitive, obsolete) To humble; to lower in status; to bring someone down physically or mentally. Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the mid 17th century.
      • Geoffrey ChaucerThe hyer that they were in this present lyf, the moore shulle they be abated and defouled in helle.
    5. (intransitive, obsolete) To be humbled; to be brought down physically or mentally. Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the mid 17th century.
    6. (transitive, obsolete) To curtail; to deprive. Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid 19th century.Order restrictions and prohibitions to abate an emergency situation.
    7. (transitive) To reduce in amount, size, or value. First attested in 1325
    CDOE|page=2
    1. Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets.
      • Authorized Version|Deuteronomy|34|7His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
    2. (intransitive) To decrease in size, value, or amount. First attested in 1325
    3. (transitive) To moderate; to lessen in force, intensity, to subside. First attested from around (1150 to 1350).
    4. (intransitive) To decrease in intensity or force; to subside. First attested from around (1150 to 1350).
      • circa 1719 Daniel Defoe, :... in the morning, the wind having abated overnight, the sea was calm, ...
    5. (transitive) To deduct or omit. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).We will abate this price from the total.
      • 1845, Thomas Fuller, The Church History of Britain, Volume 3, page 100:Allowing nine thousand parishes (abating the odd hundreds) in England and Wales ...
    6. (transitive) To bar or except. First attested in the late 16th century.
    7. (transitive) To cut away or hammer down, in such a way as to leave a figure in relief, as a sculpture, or in metalwork.
    8. (transitive, obsolete) To dull the edge or point of; to blunt. Attested from the mid 16th century until the late 17th century.
    9. (transitive, archaic) To destroy, or level to the ground. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).
      • 1542, Edward Hall, The Union of the Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and York:The kynge of Scottes planted his siege before the castell of Norham, and sore abated the walls.

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

    Related terms

    Noun

    abate

    (plural abates)
    1. (obsolete) Abatement. Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 17th century.
    SOED5|page=2

    Origin 2

    From Anglo-Norman abatre, an alteration of enbatre, from Old French en + batre ("to beat").

    Verb

    1. (intransitive, legal) To enter a tenement without permission after the owner has died and before the heir takes possession. First attested around 1350 to 1470.

    Origin 3

    From Italian abate, from Latin abbās, abbātis, from Ancient Greek ἀββᾶς, from Aramaic אבא (’abbā, "father").

    Alternative forms

    Noun

    abate

    (plural abates)
    1. An Italian abbot, or other member of the clergy. First attested in the early 18th century.
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