abate

views updated

a·bate / əˈbāt/ • v. [intr.] (of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread: the storm suddenly abated. ∎  [tr.] cause to become smaller or less intense: nothing abated his crusading zeal. ∎  [tr.] Law lessen, reduce, or remove (esp. a nuisance).

More From encyclopedia.com