bate

bate — verb

  • batepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • bates3rd person singular
  • bating-ing form
  • batedpast simple

1. to make something weaker, quieter, or less forceful — especially when talking ab

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make something weaker, quieter, or less forceful — especially when talking about emotions, speed, or the strength of something

例句

Sirin sat quietly for a few minutes to **bate** her rising panic before the speech.

bate + emotion noun

The cool evening breeze did little to **bate** the intensity of Nadia's fever.

bate + intensity / force

同義詞
  • lessen

    the most general synonym; 'lessen' is neutral and far more common in everyday English

  • moderate

    implies bringing something to a reasonable or less extreme level

  • restrain

    emphasises holding back through deliberate effort or control

  • diminish

    suggests making something smaller or less important, often gradually

反義詞
  • intensify

    to make something stronger or more extreme

  • increase

    to make something greater in amount, size, or degree

文法句型

bate + noun phrase

用法筆記

Most familiar to modern readers in the past-participle form 'bated' in the fixed expression 'with bated breath' (meaning in a state of anxious suspense). The verb 'bate' itself is now rare outside formal or literary writing.

常見錯誤

❌She waited with bate breath.
✅She waited with bated breath.
💡'bated' is the adjective form; 'bate' is the verb, and the idiom uses the adjective.

2. to remove a portion of an amount that is owed or expected; to subtract from a to

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to remove a portion of an amount that is owed or expected; to subtract from a total sum

例句

The landlord **bated** sixty dollars from the security deposit to cover the damaged furniture.

bate + amount + from + total

The buyer inspected the shipment and demanded the supplier **bate** ten percent from the price.

同義詞
  • deduct

    the standard modern equivalent; 'deduct' is used routinely in finance, tax, and retail contexts

  • subtract

    common in mathematics and general usage for removing a quantity from a larger amount

  • take away

    the simplest everyday alternative, common in spoken English

反義詞
  • add

    to put something more in

  • include

    to make something part of the total

文法句型

bate + amount + from + total

用法筆記

Now largely archaic in everyday English. Modern speakers and writers almost always use 'deduct' or 'take away' instead. Occasionally appears in formal legal or accounting documents.

3. (of a hawk, falcon, or other bird of prey) to try to escape by flying away, beat

3.動詞不及物C2
釋義

(of a hawk, falcon, or other bird of prey) to try to escape by flying away, beating the wings wildly against the leash or perch out of fear or alarm

例句

The young peregrine **bated** desperately when a dog ran barking past its perch.

intransitive use: bird + bates

Tyler, an experienced falconer, waited calmly as the goshawk **bated** against its leather jesses.

同義詞
  • flap

    general term for wing movement; lacks the specific meaning of a frightened attempt to escape

  • flutter

    suggests lighter, quicker wing movements without the same sense of frantic effort

文法句型

falcon / hawk + bates

用法筆記

A specialised term from falconry that is rarely encountered outside historical fiction, nature documentaries, or specialist writing about birds of prey. The noun form is 'bating'.