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bate1 definition

bate (bāt)

transitive verb bated bat′ed, bating bat′·ing

  1. to abate, lessen, lower, etc.
  2. Archaic to deprive (of)

Etymology: ME baten, aphetic for abaten, abate

bate Idioms

with bated breath

with the breath held in because of fear, excitement, etc.
bate2 definition

bate (bāt)

transitive verb, intransitive verb bated bat′ed, bating bat′·ing

Tanning to soften by soaking in an enzyme solution after the hair has been removed

Etymology: prob. var. of bait; akin to Ger beiszen, to soak in lye

noun

an enzyme solution for this purpose

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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