abate (1 the usual sense; the corresponding intr. sense ‘decrease’ is rare; 2 is common Eliz.; 3-6 are rare)
1.
to lessen, shorten
MND. III. ii. 432
“ thy
hours!”
2.
to blunt, fig.
2H4 I. i. 117
“his metal . . . once in
him abated,”
R3 V. iv. 48 [v. 35] “Abate the edge of
traitors.”
3.
to deprive “of”
Lr. II. iv. 161
“a-d me of half my
train.”
4.
to bar, except
LLL. V. ii. 545
“ throw
at novum, and the whole world again
Cannot pick out five such.”
5.
to depreciate (a
person)
Cym. I. iv. 78
“I would abate her
nothing.”
6.
to humble
Cor. III. iii. 130
“most Abated
captives.”
