bate 1
/bayt/ , v. , bated, bating .
v.t.
1. to moderate or restrain: unable to bate our enthusiasm.
2. to lessen or diminish; abate: setbacks that bated his hopes.
v.i.
3. to diminish or subside; abate.
4. with bated breath , with breath drawn in or held because of anticipation or suspense: We watched with bated breath as the runners approached the finish line.
[ 1250-1300; ME, aph. var. of ABATE ]
bate 2
/bayt/ , v. , bated, bating , n.
v.i.
1. (of a hawk) to flutter its wings and attempt to escape in a fit of anger or fear.
n.
2. a state of violent anger or fear.
[ 1250-1300; ME baten to beat, flap (wings, etc.) se ) batre battuere to beat; cf. ABATE ]
bate 3
/bayt/ , v. , bated, bating , n.
v.t. , v.i.
1. Tanning. to soak (leather) after liming in an alkaline solution to soften it and remove the lime.
n.
2. the solution used.
[ 1870-75; var. of beat to pare off turf, OE baetan to BAIT; c. Sw beta to tan, G beissen to macerate ]