Bate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bated; p. pr. & vb. n. Bating.]
1. To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.
He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not employ or not pay him. --Locke.
2. To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
To whom he bates nothing of what he stood upon with the parliament. --South.
3. To leave out; to except. [Obs.]
Bate me the king, and, be he flesh and blood,
He lies that says it. --Beau. & Fl.
4. To remove. [Obs.]
About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of olives, and lay them bare. --Holland.
5. To deprive of. [Obs.]
When baseness is exalted, do not bate
The place its honor for the person's sake. --Herbert.
Bat·ed a. Reduced; lowered; restrained; as, to speak with bated breath.
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bated
adj 1: held back; "we watched the daring feats of the acrobats with
bated breath"
2: diminished or moderated; "our bated enthusiasm"; "his bated
hopes"