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Bated: meaning, definitions and examples

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bated

 

[ ˈbeɪtɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

anxiously waiting

Bated is an adjective derived from the verb 'bate', which means to lessen or diminish. It is often used in the phrase 'bated breath,' signifying a state of anxious anticipation or excitement while waiting for a particular event or outcome.

Synonyms

anxious, eager, suspenseful

Examples of usage

  • She waited for the test results with bated breath.
  • They listened to the announcement with bated breath.
  • He approached the stage with bated breath, anxious about the performance.
  • The children peered into the dark cave with bated breath, curious about what they would find.

Translations

Translations of the word "bated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 сниженный

🇮🇳 निगलना

🇩🇪 gehemmt

🇮🇩 menahan

🇺🇦 уповільнений

🇵🇱 spowolniony

🇯🇵 抑圧された

🇫🇷 réprimé

🇪🇸 reprimido

🇹🇷 baskı altında

🇰🇷 억제된

🇸🇦 مكبوح

🇨🇿 zadržený

🇸🇰 zadržený

🇨🇳 抑制的

🇸🇮 zadržan

🇮🇸 hemdu

🇰🇿 тежелденген

🇬🇪 დაჭერილი

🇦🇿 boğulmuş

🇲🇽 reprimido

Word origin

The word 'bated' originates from the Middle English word 'baten', which meant to reduce or lessen. This, in turn, comes from the Old English 'batan', meaning to lessen or diminish. The use of 'bated breath' can be traced back to the late 16th century, most prominently in Shakespeare's works, where it signified a moment of high tension or anticipation. Over time, the phrase 'with bated breath' became idiomatic in English, reflecting a universal feeling of nervous waiting or expectancy. The evolution of the word has seen its meaning narrow down to mainly evoke the sense of anxious anticipation.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,697, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.