Bate
/beɪt/noun
To lessen or diminish something, especially in intensity or degree.
Did you know?In medieval English, to 'bate' was often associated with the act of diminishing the potency of a witch's curse or spell, showing how language has ties to the supernatural.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
baten
“To lessen or reduce, particularly in intensity.”
Old French
French
abattre
“To bring down, to beat down.”
Late Latin
Latin
abattuere
“To throw down or knock down.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“To strike or hit.”