abate

[ uh-beyt ]
/ əˈbeɪt /

verb (used with object), a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

verb (used without object), a·bat·ed, a·bat·ing.

to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.: The storm has abated. The pain in his shoulder finally abated.
Law. to end; become null and void.

Origin of abate

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French abatre to beat down, equivalent to a- a-5 + batre < Late Latin batere for Latin battuere to beat; a- perhaps also understood as a-3

SYNONYMS FOR abate

1 decrease, weaken.
6 subside.

ANTONYMS FOR abate

1, 6 increase, intensify.

OTHER WORDS FROM abate

Words nearby abate

abasia, abasia trepidans, abasia-astasia, abat-jour, abatage, abate, abatement, abatis, abator, abattage, abattoir

British Dictionary definitions for abator (1 of 2)

abator
/ (əˈbeɪtə) /

noun

law a person who effects an abatement

British Dictionary definitions for abator (2 of 2)

abate
/ (əˈbeɪt) /

verb

to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etc the storm has abated
(tr) law
  1. to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
  2. to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
  3. to annul (a writ)
(intr) law (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void
(tr) to subtract or deduct, as part of a price

Word Origin for abate

C14: from Old French abatre to beat down, fell