abate

Meaning

Verb

1. To lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate.
2. To reduce (something) in amount or size.
3. To reduce (something) in amount or size.
4. To lower (something) in price or value.
5. To demolish or level to the ground (a building or other structure).
6. To give no consideration to (something); to treat as an exception.
7. To dull (an edge, point, etc.); to blunt.
8. To make (a writ or other legal document) void; to nullify.
9. To put an end to (a nuisance).
10. To dismiss or otherwise bring to an end (legal proceedings) before they are completed, especially on procedural grounds rather than on the merits.
11. (obsolete) To curtail or end (something); to cause to cease.
12. (obsolete) To give (someone) a discount or rebate; also, to relieve (someone) of a debt.
13. (obsolete) To bring down (someone) mentally or physically; to lower (someone) in status.
14. (obsolete) Chiefly followed by from, of, etc.: to omit or remove (a part from a whole); to deduct, to subtract.
15. (obsolete) Chiefly followed by of: to deprive (someone or something of another thing).
16. To decrease in force or intensity; to subside.
17. To decrease in amount or size.
18. 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.
19. Of an edge, point, etc.: to become blunt or dull.
20. Of a writ or other legal document: to become null and void; to cease to have effect.
21. Of legal proceedings: to be dismissed or otherwise brought to an end before they are completed, especially on procedural grounds rather than on the merits.
22. (obsolete) To give a discount or rebate; to discount, to rebate.
23. (obsolete) To bow down; hence, to be abased or humbled.
24. (obsolete) Chiefly followed by of: to deduct or subtract from.

Noun

1. (obsolete) Abatement; reduction; (countable) an instance of this.
2. (obsolete) Deduction; subtraction; (countable) an instance of this.

Noun

An Italian abbot or other member of the clergy.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈbeɪt/

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); to dismiss or quash (a lawsuit); to lessen, reduce; to injure, impair; to appease; to decline, grow less; to deduct, subtract; to make one’s way; attack (an enemy); (law) to enter or intrude upon (someone’s property); of a hawk: to beat or flap the wings”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman abater, abatier, abatre, abbatre, Middle French abattre, abatre, abattre, Old French abatre, abattre (“to demolish, knock down; to bring down, cut down; to lessen, reduce; to suppress; to stop; to discourage; to impoverish, ruin; to conquer; to overthrow; to kill; to remove (money) from circulation; (law) to annul”), from Late Latin abbattere (“to bring down, take down; to suppress; to debase (currency)”), from Latin ab- (prefix meaning ‘away; from; away from’) + Latin battere, from older battuere (“to beat, hit; to beat up; to fight”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰedʰ- (“to dig; to stab”)).
The noun is derived from the verb.