Verb

1. To reduce the force of something; to abate.
2. To restrain, usually with the sense of being in anticipation; as, with bated breath.
3. To cut off, remove, take away.
   • c.1658 Dr. Henry More, Government of the Tongue :

     He will not bate an ace of absolute certainty.

Etymology 2

Noun

1. Strife; contention.
   • 1598, William Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 2

     ... and wears his boots very smooth, like unto the sign of the leg, and breeds no bate with telling of discreet stories;

   • 1888, Sir Richard Burton, The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night (Arabian Nights)

     So the strife redoubled and the weapons together clashed and ceased not bate and debate and naught was to be seen but blood flowing and necks bowing;

   • 1911, H.G. Wells, The New Machiavelli

     The other merely needs jealousy and bate, of which there are great and easily accessible reservoirs in every human heart.

Verb

1. To contend or strive with blows or arguments.
2. Of a falcon: To flap the wings vigorously.

Noun

1. An alkaline lye which neutralizes the effect of the previous application of lime, and makes hides supple in the process of tanning.
2. A vat which contains this liquid.

Verb

1. To soak leather so as to remove chemicals used in tanning; to steep in bate.