bated
bated — 形容詞
- batedpositive
- more batedcomparative
- most batedsuperlative
1. used only in the fixed phrase 'with bated breath' to describe a state of anxious
屏息以待
焦慮或興奮地等待
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.
全校學生都屏息以待，等著考試結果公布。
the fixed phrase 'with bated breath' + 'waited'
Eve listened with bated breath as the judge read the final verdict.
Eve 屏息以待，聽著法官宣讀最終判決。
listened with bated breath — used with sense verbs
Fans watched with bated breath as the kicker prepared for the final shot.
球迷們屏息以待，看著踢球員準備進行最後一射。
The Watanabe family sat with bated breath during the aftershock, hoping the shaking would stop.
Watanabe 一家在餘震期間屏息以待，希望搖晃會停止。
The children watched with bated breath as the magician pulled a rabbit from his hat.
孩子們屏息以待，看著魔術師從帽子裡變出兔子。
- 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 — 動詞
- 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
削弱；減緩
減少力量或強度（古語）
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.
騎士在比賽前削弱了長矛的鋒芒，因為他知道這場較量只是為了娛樂。
archaic transitive usage: bated + [weapon/force]
A wise leader learns to bate harsh criticism with a tone of encouragement.
明智的領導者懂得用鼓勵的語氣來緩和嚴厲的批評。
Gabriel bated the sail to keep the boat steady as the squall passed through.
Gabriel 收帆減速，讓船在暴風經過時保持平穩。
The storm bated its fury just before dawn, leaving a calm sea behind.
暴風雨在黎明前減弱了威力，海面恢復了平靜。
- 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
扣除；減去
從總額中扣除一部分（古語）
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.
那位商人出於善意，從原價中扣除了六便士。
archaic: bate + [amount] + from + [price/value]
A judge could bate part of a fine if the defendant showed remorse.
若被告表現出悔意，法官可以減免部分罰金。
The landlord bated a week's rent after the roof leak ruined the tenant's furniture.
屋頂漏水毀了房客的家具後，房東減免了一週的租金。
The queen bated her official estimate of the expedition's cost to avoid alarming Parliament.
女王扣減了遠征的官方預算估計，以免驚動議會。
- 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.