SINCE 1828
bate
verb (1)
\ ˈbāt
\
\
bated;
bating
Definition of bate
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to reduce the force or intensity of : restrain
waited with bated breath
2
: to take away : deduct
That grave and orderly senior was not going to bate a jot of his dignity …— George Eliot
3
archaic
: to lower especially in amount or estimation
And I shall have to bate my price …— A. E. Housman
bate
verb (2)
bated;
bating
Definition of bate (Entry 2 of 2)
of a falcon or hawk
: to attempt to fly off something (such as a gauntlet) in fear
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
'Bated', 'Shod', 'Boon', and 7 Other...
'Bated', 'Shod', 'Boon', and 7 Other Fossil Words
When old words show up in modern English
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Time Traveler for bate
The first known use of bate was in the 14th century
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More Definitions for bate
bate
verb
\ ˈbāt
\
\
bated;
bating
Kids Definition of bate
: to reduce the force or intensity of
… with parted lips and bated breath the audience hung upon his words …— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer
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