bate vb.2 (for the meanings cf. the older ABATE)
1.
to blunt
LLL. I. i. 6
“bate his scythe's keen
edge.”
2.
to reduce, diminish,
weaken Mer.V. III. iii. 32,
IV. i. 72, Tim. III. iii. 26;
“bated breath”:
subdued or restrained breathing Mer.V. I. iii. 125.
3.
to decrease, fall off
1H4 III. iii. 2
“do I not bate? do I not
dwindle?”
4.
to deduct
Tp. I. ii. 250
“To bate me a full
year,”
2H4 Epil. 16,
Ham. V. ii. 23
“no leisure
bated”
; absol.
Cym. III. ii. 55
“O let me bate.”
