bate
1
[ beyt ]
/ beɪt /
verb (used with object), bat·ed, bat·ing.
to moderate or restrain: unable to bate our enthusiasm.
to lessen or diminish; abate: setbacks that bated his hopes.
verb (used without object), bat·ed, bat·ing.
to diminish or subside; abate.
Idioms for bate
with bated breath,
with breath drawn in or held because of anticipation or suspense: We watched with bated breath as the runners approached the finish line.
Origin of bate
1
1250–1300; Middle English, aphetic variant of
abate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bate
baited batedWords nearby bate
British Dictionary definitions for with bated breath (1 of 4)
bate
1
/ (beɪt) /
verb
another word for abate
with bated breath
holding one's breath in suspense or fear
British Dictionary definitions for with bated breath (2 of 4)
bate
2
/ (beɪt) /
verb
(intr)
(of hawks) to jump violently from a perch or the falconer's fist, often hanging from the leash while struggling to escape
Word Origin for bate
C13: from Old French
batre to beat, from Latin
battuere; related to
bat
1
British Dictionary definitions for with bated breath (3 of 4)
bate
3
/ (beɪt) /
verb (tr)
to soak (skin or hides) in a special solution to soften them and remove chemicals used in previous treatments
noun
the solution used
Word Origin for bate
Old English
bǣtan to
bait
1
British Dictionary definitions for with bated breath (4 of 4)
bate
4
/ (beɪt) /
noun
British slang
a bad temper or rage
Word Origin for bate
C19: from
bait
1, alluding to the mood of a person who is being baited
Idioms and Phrases with with bated breath
with bated breath
Eagerly or anxiously, as in We waited for the announcement of the winner with bated breath. This expression literally means “holding one's breath” (bate means “restrain”). Today it is also used somewhat ironically, indicating one is not all that eager or anxious. [Late 1500s] Also see hold one's breath, def. 2.