Word Definition

Abate

  1. To blunt.
  2. To decrease, or become less in strength or violence; as, pain abates, a storm abates.
  3. Abatement.
  4. To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away with; as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ.
  5. To beat down; to overthrow.
  6. To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price.
  7. To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope.
  8. To reduce in estimation; to deprive.
  9. To diminish; to reduce. Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets.
  10. To be defeated, or come to naught; to fall through; to fail; as, a writ abates.