Meaning
To lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
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.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 14 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-07-04BAEHILT
- 2025-12-08AZBTIEP
- 2025-10-12BACEILT
- 2025-09-23TAKICEB
- 2025-08-06TAMEBJN
- 2025-03-11TNAKMEB
- 2025-03-03BATGELV
- 2024-08-23BAPLEOT
- 2024-07-18TABEIPZ
- 2024-06-18ABKTCEI
- 2023-08-02TLAJCBE
- 2023-07-11ABTIFEC
+2 earlier appearances in the archive.