[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/abate/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [A](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a/) / abate

# abate

verb (abate, abates, abated, abating)

«abate» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To abate means to become less strong or less in amount: «The storm abated.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#m1)
2. (formal, law) To abate something means to make it less or put an end to it: «abate the noise». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and weather reports, storms, winds, floods and pain abate; the word tells the reader the danger is passing. In formal writing and exams, it is a stiff word for «die down». In law, a council can order a nuisance (noise, smoke) to be abated. Phrases: «the storm abated», «show no signs of abating», «unabated» (still as strong).

### Examples

- We waited in the hut until the storm abated. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#x1)
- The floods began to abate after three days. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#x2)
- Her fever abated during the night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#x3)
- The noise from the party showed no signs of abating. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#x4)
- When the wind abated, the boats sailed out again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#x5)
- The fighting continued unabated. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#x6)
- By this time the storm was much abated. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: abated, abating. Formal; in everyday talk say «die down», «ease off». Opposite: increase, grow. «Unabated» means not getting weaker.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means to die down or go down, as fire, floodwater or a man's strength does. In Judges it is also used of anger, which calms down once a person is spoken to wisely.

**Interpretation.** The words about Moses, whose natural force had not abated at 120, are read as a sign of his great vigor to the end. The story of Gideon is read as showing that a gentle answer turns away anger.

### Examples

- And the people cried unto Moses; and Moses prayed unto the LORD, and the fire abated. (Torah NUM.11.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/abate/#x1)
- And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground. (Torah GEN.8.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/abate/#x2)
- And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. (Torah DEU.34.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/abate/#x3)
- God hath delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?' Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that. (Prophets JDG.8.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/abate/#x4)

### Note

Regular verb: abated, abating. Formal; in everyday talk say «die down», «ease off». Opposite: increase, grow. «Unabated» means not getting weaker.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «abate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«abate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/abate.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «abate» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/abate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«abate» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/abate.html) on Mova free.