v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' b ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: abat · ed ; abat · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French abatre to strike down ― more at REBATE
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a : to put an end to < abate a nuisance> b : NULLIFY 1 < abate a writ>
2 a : to reduce in degree or intensity : MODERATE <may abate their rancor to win peace> b : to reduce in value or amount : make less especially by way of relief < abate a tax>
3 : DEDUCT , OMIT < abate part of the price>
4 a : to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief b obsolete : BLUNT
5 : DEPRIVE 2
intransitive verb
1 : to decrease in force or intensity
2 a : to become defeated or become null or void b : to decrease in amount or value
– abat · er noun
synonyms ABATE , SUBSIDE , WANE , EBB mean to die down in force or intensity. ABATE stresses the idea of progressive diminishing <the storm abated >. SUBSIDE implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation <the protests subsided after a few days>. WANE suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive < waning enthusiasm>. EBB suggests the receding of something (as the tide) that commonly comes and goes <the ebbing of daylight>. synonym see in addition DECREASE