bated

Variant of bate

bate 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.

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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