Definition of "abate" []

• To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; lessen. See Synonyms at decrease. (verb-transitive)
• To deduct from an amount; subtract. (verb-transitive)
• Law To put an end to. (verb-transitive)
• Law To make void. (verb-transitive)
• To fall off in degree or intensity; subside. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Finally, it would largely abate from the sympathy which late events have elicited from foreign nation"
• "While it would be helpful for the market were the mutual-fund withdrawals to abate, that isn't necessary for the stock market to rally, Mr. O'Rourke says."
• "It is a clip of abate, from the Old French abattre, “to beat down,” and now it means “to moderate, subside, reduce, ebb.”"