To beat down; pull or batter down.To deduct; subtract; withdraw from consideration.To lessen; diminish; moderate: as, to abate a demand or a tax.To deject; depress.To deprive; curtail.To deprive of; take away from.In law: To cause to fail; extinguish: as, a cause of action for damages for a personal tort is abated by the death of either party.To suspend or stop the progress of: as, where the cause of action survives the death of a party, the action may be abated until an executor or administrator can be appointed and substituted.To reduce: as, a legacy is abated if the assets, after satisfying the debts, are not sufficient to pay it in full.To destroy or remove; put an end to (a nuisance).In metallurgy, to reduce to a lower temper.To steep in an alkaline solution: usually shortened to bate. See bate.To decrease or become less in strength or violence: as, pain abates; the storm has abated.In law: To fail; come to a premature end; stop progress or diminish: as, an action or cause of action may abate by the death or marriage of a party. To enter into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, and before the heir or devisee takes possession. Blackstone.In the manège, to perform well a downward motion.In falconry, to flutter; beat with the wings. See bate.n. Abatement or decrease.n. See abbate.