Word Direct Answers

What does "bate" mean?

Bate: To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower. He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not employ or not pay him. Locke.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To allow by way of abatement or deduction. To whom he bates nothing or what he stood upon with the parliament. South.
  2. 3.To leave out; to except. [Obs.] Bate me the king, and, be he flesh and blood. He lies that says it. Beau. & Fl.
  3. 4.To remove. [Obs.] About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of olives, and lay them bare. Holland.
  4. 5.To deprive of. [Obs.] When baseness is exalted, do not bate The place its honor for the person's sake. Herbert.
  5. 6.To remit or retrench a part; -- with of. Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine. Dryden.
  6. 7.To waste away. [Obs.] Shak.
  7. 8.To attack; to bait. [Obs.] Spenser.
  8. 9.of Bite. [Obs.] Spenser.
  9. 10.To flutter as a hawk; to bait. [Obs.] Bacon.
  10. 11.See 2d Bath.
  11. 12.An alkaline solution consisting of the dung of certain animals; -- employed in the preparation of hides; grainer. Knight.
  12. 13.To steep in bate, as hides, in the manufacture of leather.

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