Wiktionary:Word of the day/2021/September 17

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abate v

(transitive) To lessen (something) in force or intensity; to moderate. To reduce (something) in amount or size. To cut away or hammer down (material from metalwork, a sculpture, etc.) in such a way as to leave a figure in relief. To lower (something) in price or value. (archaic) To demolish or level to the ground (a building or other structure). To give no consideration to (something); to treat as an exception. (chiefly figuratively) To dull (an edge, point, etc.); to blunt. (law) To make (a writ or other legal document) void; to nullify. To put an end to (a nuisance). (chiefly US) To dismiss or otherwise bring to an end (legal proceedings) before they are completed, especially on procedural grounds rather than on the merits. (obsolete) To curtail or end (something); to cause to cease. To give (someone) a discount or rebate; also, to relieve (someone) of a debt. To bring down (someone) mentally or physically; to lower (someone) in status; to abase or humble. Chiefly followed by from, of, etc.: to omit or remove (a part from a whole); to deduct, to subtract. Chiefly followed by of: To deprive (someone or something of another thing). (intransitive) To decrease in force or intensity; to subside. To decrease in amount or size. To lower in price or value; (law) specifically, of a bequest in a will: to lower in value because the testator's estate is insufficient to satisfy all the bequests in full. (archaic, chiefly figuratively) Of an edge, point, etc.: to become blunt or dull. (law) (chiefly historical) Of a writ or other legal document: to become null and void; to cease to have effect. (chiefly US) Of legal proceedings: to be dismissed or otherwise brought to an end before they are completed, especially on procedural grounds rather than on the merits. (obsolete) To give a discount or rebate; to discount, to rebate. To bow down; hence, to be abased or humbled. Chiefly followed by of: to deduct or subtract from. [...] (transitive, intransitive, law, chiefly historical) To enter upon and unlawfully seize (land) after the owner has died, thus preventing an heir from taking possession of it. abate n (obsolete, uncountable) Abatement; reduction; (countable) an instance of this. (obsolete, uncountable) Deduction; subtraction; (countable) an instance of this. [...] An Italian abbot or other member of the clergy.

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