bated
bated — adjective
- batedpositive
- more batedcomparative
- most batedsuperlative
1. used only in the fixed phrase 'with bated breath' to describe a state of anxious
used only in the fixed phrase 'with bated breath' to describe a state of anxious eagerness or nervous excitement while waiting for something to happen or be revealed.
The whole school waited with bated breath for the exam results to be posted.
the fixed phrase 'with bated breath' + 'waited'
Eve listened with bated breath as the judge read the final verdict.
listened with bated breath — used with sense verbs
Fans watched with bated breath as the kicker prepared for the final shot.
The Watanabe family sat with bated breath during the aftershock, hoping the shaking would stop.
The children watched with bated breath as the magician pulled a rabbit from his hat.
- nonchalant
showing a relaxed lack of concern, the opposite of anxious eagerness
文法句型
with bated breath
用法筆記
In modern English, 'bated' appears almost exclusively within the fixed phrase 'with bated breath.' Using 'bated' outside this expression (e.g., 'a bated voice') would sound archaic or unnatural to most native speakers.
常見錯誤
bated — verb
- batedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- bateds3rd person singular
- bateding-ing form
- batededpast simple
1. to lessen the power, sharpness, or intensity of something; to make a force weake
to lessen the power, sharpness, or intensity of something; to make a force weaker or a blade duller.
The knight bated his lance before the joust, knowing the contest was only for sport.
archaic transitive usage: bated + [weapon/force]
A wise leader learns to bate harsh criticism with a tone of encouragement.
Gabriel bated the sail to keep the boat steady as the squall passed through.
The storm bated its fury just before dawn, leaving a calm sea behind.
- intensify
to make stronger or more forceful
文法句型
bate + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is now archaic. The verb 'bate' was historically a shortening of 'abate,' and most modern readers will only recognise its past participle 'bated' in the set phrase 'with bated breath.'
2. to take away a part of something; to deduct from an amount or lower the value or
to take away a part of something; to deduct from an amount or lower the value or estimation of someone or something.
The merchant bated sixpence from the original price as a gesture of goodwill.
archaic: bate + [amount] + from + [price/value]
A judge could bate part of a fine if the defendant showed remorse.
The landlord bated a week's rent after the roof leak ruined the tenant's furniture.
The queen bated her official estimate of the expedition's cost to avoid alarming Parliament.
- add
to put something in or on top of an existing amount
文法句型
bate + noun phrase
用法筆記
Like the other verb sense, this usage is archaic. In modern English, 'deduct' or 'take away' would be used instead. You may encounter this sense in historical fiction or early modern literature.