Middle English Dictionary Entry

abāten, -i(en v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms abāten, -i(en v.
Etymology OF abatre

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
(a) To knock down or demolish (a wall, etc.); (b) to knock (sb.) down; strike down or defeat (an enemy); (c) strike (sail); cast down (a banner).
Show 7 Quotations
1b.
To bow humbly, submissively, or dejectedly; be dejected; ~ countenaunce.
Show 3 Quotations
2.
(a) To put an end to or do away with (sth.); stop (strife); ~ pride, bost, destroy (someone's) pride or arrogance, humiliate, defeat; ~ ende, escape (a certain) outcome; (b) to cease.
Show 20 Quotations
3.
Law Abolish (a law); quash or dismiss (a suit at law).
Show 3 Quotations
4.
To lessen or reduce (a certain state or condition): (a) to impair (happiness, etc.), disparage or injure (reputation, fame); ~ los, pris, prou; degrade (sb.); estat abated, diminished power; (b) to diminish or slacken (anger, hatred, etc.); alleviate (suffering, disease, etc.); soothe (pain); reduce (drinking); (c) to appease (a dissatisfied person).
Show 25 Quotations
5.
To grow less or diminish in power, vigor, influence, or wealth; decline; of a storm: abate; of a manor: abated, run-down.
Show 13 Quotations
6.
(a) To reduce or depress (prices, cost); also, to give a discount, rebate [quot. c1436]; (b) to deduct (a certain amount); (c) math. subtract.
Show 15 Quotations
7.
Miscellaneous uses: (a) hawk. of a hawk: to beat with wings, flap the wings; (b) to beat or make one's way; attack (an enemy); (c) law to intrude or enter (upon someone's property); -- refl. [OF se enbatre or abatre]; (d) to soften (dry bread).
Show 8 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)1582 : Þere was [read: nas] Shippis meyne..That myȝte a-bate of the Shipp þe þiknes of a skale.
    • Note: Additional quote(s) for 1a.(c)
  • c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)200 : Ther is noon..that we ne abaaten him of alle poyntes as soone as we come.
    • Note: Additional quote(s) for 1a.(b)
    Note: ?wrestling
    Note: ~ of

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Macer (Hat 29)186 : abate [Stockh Med.10.91: Þis purgacon of þe heede wole aliȝt þe tunge þat is heuy; Lat: allevat].
Note: Appears to belong to sense 4., which should be expanded to include something like this: 'to relieve the unhealthy condition of (a bodily member).' It is difficult to be certain what affliction exactly is represented by a 'heavy tongue': it could be a foul-smelling one, or, more likely, a numb one.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1475 GLeg.Suppl.Barbara (Lamb 72)469/3200 : Whan the prest and the iuge were comyn, and shortly for to sey, the erthe was abated and taken awey, the womman was founden standynge vpright in the place and pitte, beyng on lyve as she was whan she was putte therein many yeeres byfore.
    • Note: Editor: "abated: removed, not in MED in this sense."
    Note: New sense.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1475(1438) GLeg.Advent (GiL176) (Hrl 4775) 977/152 : The Appostulle seith in the .xxj. chapiter: 'The see shalle no more be;' or ellis some othir seyn it schalle be for that he shall be lifft vp withoute grete murmour .xl. cubitis aboue alle the mountaines of the worlde and sith she shalle be abatid [L deprimetur] ayenne.
    • Note: New sense = 'of a sea in flood, to fall, to retreat'

©2025 Regents of the University of Michigan. For details about this collection's copyright see the MEC copyright statement and the U-M Library Copyright Policy. Data last refreshed Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 12:18:00.