Abate, (cf. Bate) 1) tr. a) to beat down, to overthrow, to humble: “most --d captives,” Cor. III, 3, 132.
b) to weaken, to diminish: “air and water do a. the fire,” Ven. 654. Tp. IV, 56. Mids. III, 2, 432 (a. thy hours, == shorten). Merch. V, 198. Shr. Ind. 1, 137. H5 III, 2, 24. Tit. I, 43. Rom. IV, 1, 120. Hml. IV, 7, 116.
c) to blunt, to take off the edge of: “a. the edge of traitors,” R3 V, 5, 35. “from his metal was his party steeled; which once in him --d, all the rest turned on themselves,” H4B I, 1, 117.
d) to reduce in estimation: “I would a. her nothing,” Cymb. I, 4, 73.
e) to deduct, to except: “a. throw at novum,” LLL V, 2, 547.
f) to curtail, with of: “she hath --d me of half my train,” Lr. II, 4, 161.
2) intr. (used by none but Pistol), to decrease: “and fury shall a.” H5 II, 1, 70. IV, 4, 50.