English Dictionary
Definition of “abate”
abate (əˈbeɪt
)
Definitions
verb
- to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etc ⇒
the storm has abated
- (tr) law
- to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance)
- to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action)
- to annul (a writ)
- (intr) law (of a writ, legal action, etc) to become null and void
- (tr) to subtract or deduct, as part of a price
Word Origin
C14: from Old French abatre to beat down, fell
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
decrease,
decline,
relax,
ease,
sink,
fade,
weaken,
diminish,
dwindle,
lessen,
slow,
wane,
subside,
ebb,
let up,
slacken,
attenuate,
taper off,
=
reduce,
slow,
relax,
ease,
relieve,
moderate,
weaken,
dull,
diminish,
decrease,
lessen,
alleviate,
quell,
mitigate,
attenuate,
slake,
Usage examples
When it did not abate , she stumbled into the privy chamber.
Penman, Sharon, Here Be Dragons (1986)Where risks are particularly high, try and establish a beachhead, and wait for the risks to abate.
Business Today (1998)However, he added, "we believe [BSE] is relatively well contained and should abate fairly shortly.
Globe and Mail (2003)The violence within the Palestine Authority area, however, did not abate.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Here they waited a further two weeks for the contrary winds to abate.
Andrew Bridgeford, 1066: and the Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry (2004)
