abate
Pronunciation: /əˈbeɪt/
The English word “abate” has 20 meanings listed here.
verb
- To lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate.
- To reduce (something) in amount or size.
- To cut away or hammer down (material from metalwork, a sculpture, etc.) in such a way as to leave a figure in relief.
- To lower (something) in price or value.
- To demolish or level to the ground (a building or other structure).
- To give no consideration to (something); to treat as an exception.
- To dull (an edge, point, etc.); to blunt.
- To make (a writ or other legal document) void; to nullify.
- To put an end to (a nuisance).
- To dismiss or otherwise bring to an end (legal proceedings) before they are completed, especially on procedural grounds rather than on the merits.
- To curtail or end (something); to cause to cease.
- To give (someone) a discount or rebate; also, to relieve (someone) of a debt.
- To bring down (someone) mentally or physically; to lower (someone) in status.
- Chiefly followed by from, of, etc.: to omit or remove (a part from a whole); to deduct, to subtract.
- Chiefly followed by of: to deprive (someone or something of another thing).
- To decrease in force or intensity; to subside.
- To decrease in amount or size.
- To lower in price or value; (law) specifically, of a bequest in a will: to lower in value because the testator's estate is insufficient to satisfy all the bequests in full.
- Of an edge, point, etc.: to become blunt or dull.
- Of a writ or other legal document: to become null and void; to cease to have effect.
Etymology
From Middle English abaten, from Anglo-Norman abatre, from Late Latin abbattere, from Latin battere. detailed etymology, sense derivation, and cognates The verb is derived from Middle English abaten (“to demolish, knock down; to defeat, strike down; to strike or take down (a sail); to throw down; to bow dejectedly or submissively; to be dejected; to stop; to defeat, humiliate; to repeal (a law);…
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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.