- abate (v.)
- c. 1300, "put an end to;" early 14c., "to grow less, diminish in power or influence," from Old French abattre "beat down, cast down," from Vulgar Latin *abbatere, from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + battuere "to beat" (see batter (v.)). Secondary sense of "to fell, slaughter" is in abatis and abattoir. Related: Abated; abating.
