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.

 ◄ ►


 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"