I. ˈbāt verb
( bat·ed ; bat·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, short for abaten to abate
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to reduce the force or intensity of : restrain
with bated breath
2. : to take away : deduct
3. archaic : to lower especially in amount or estimation
4. archaic : blunt
intransitive verb
obsolete : diminish , decrease
II. intransitive verb
( bat·ed ; bat·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French batre to beat, from Latin battuere
Date: 14th century
of a falcon or hawk : to attempt to fly off something (as a gauntlet) in fear