Definition of BATE

bate

Meanings

Plural: bates

Verb

  • moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
    • "He bated his breath when talking about this affair"
  • flap the wings wildly or frantically; used of falcons
  • soak in a special solution to soften and remove chemicals used in previous treatments
    • "bate hides and skins"
  • To reduce the force of something; to abate.
  • To restrain, usually with the sense of being in anticipation
  • To cut off, remove, take away.
  • To leave out, except, bar.
  • To waste away.
  • To deprive of.
  • To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.
  • To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
  • To contend or strive with blows or arguments.
  • Of a falcon: To flap the wings vigorously; to bait.
  • To soak leather so as to remove chemicals used in tanning; to steep in bate.
  • simple past of beat; = beat.
  • Clipping of masturbate.

Noun

  • Strife; contention.
  • An alkaline lye which neutralizes the effect of the previous application of lime, and makes hides supple in the process of tanning.
  • A vat which contains this liquid.
  • direction, course, track

Origin / Etymology

Inherited from Middle English baten (“to abate”), an aphetic form of abaten, from Old French abatre (“to knock down”).

Scrabble Score: 6

bate is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
bate is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
bate is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

bate is a valid Words With Friends word