bate

n. (Jewish Antiq.) See 2d Bath. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Sw. beta maceration, soaking, G. beize, and E. bite. ] An alkaline solution consisting of the dung of certain animals; -- employed in the preparation of hides; grainer. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prob. abbrev. from debate. ] Strife; contention. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bated; p. pr. & vb. n. Bating. ] [ From abate. ] 1. To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower. [ 1913 Webster ]

He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not employ or not pay him. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To allow by way of abatement or deduction. [ 1913 Webster ]

To whom he bates nothing of what he stood upon with the parliament. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To leave out; to except. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Bate me the king, and, be he flesh and blood,
He lies that says it. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To remove. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of olives, and lay them bare. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To deprive of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

When baseness is exalted, do not bate
The place its honor for the person's sake. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To remit or retrench a part; -- with of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To waste away. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To attack; to bait. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. of Bite. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ F. battre des ailes to flutter. Cf. Bait to flutter. ] To flutter as a hawk; to bait. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]