Abate definition

From , from , from , from + , from . Cognates: French abattre

To bring down or reduce to a lower state, number, degree or estimation.

Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets.
- 1597, Francis Bacon, Essays or Counsels, Civil and Morall:
  
  Not that they feel it so, but only to abate the edge of envy.
- 1605, William Shakespeare, King Lear, II.ii:
  
  She hath abated me of half my train
- His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
To diminish in force or intensity.

The pain abates.
- c. 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe:
  
  in the morning, the wind having abated overnight, the sea was calm,
- 1855, Thomas Babington Macaulay, History of England from the Accession of James II, Part 3, page 267:
  
  The fury of Glengarry rapidly abated.
To deduct or omit.

We will abate this price from the total.
- 1845, Thomas Fuller, The Church History of Britain, Volume 3, page 100:
  
  Allowing nine thousand parishes (abating the odd hundreds) in England and Wales
To bar or except.
To bring someone down physically or mentally.
To put an end to; to do away with.

to abate a nuisance

to abate a writ
To be defeated or come to naught.

The writ has abated.
To destroy, or level to the ground
- 1542, Edward Hall, The Union of the Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and York:
  
  The kynge of Scottes planted his siege before the castell of Norham, and sore abated the walls.

lessen; diminish; contract; moderate; cut short; decrease diminish; subside; decline humble; depress fall through; fail

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