Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Diminished, moderated, or lessened in intensity: Describes something that has been reduced, restrained, or held back from its full force or expression.

Usage

The word "bated" is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase "with bated breath." It describes a state of anxious, eager, or excited anticipation where one's breathing is figuratively held back or restrained. It is a formal and somewhat literary term.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The audience waited with bated breath for the final announcement. (The audience waited in anxious, silent anticipation.)
  • He listened to the verdict with bated breath. (He listened while holding back his breath due to tension.)
  • The children watched the magician with bated breath. (The children watched in eager, hushed excitement.)

Advanced Usage

• "with bated breath": In a state of anxious or excited anticipation.
  • The whole nation waited with bated breath for news of the rescue.
  • I opened the letter with bated breath, hoping for good news.

Variants and Related Words

• Abate (verb): To reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; to lessen.
  • The storm finally began to abate.
• Unabated (adjective): Without any reduction in intensity or strength.
  • The protests continued unabated for a third day.

Synonyms

• Held (as in "held breath")
• Restrained
• Suppressed
• Moderated

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning of "bated" is "reduced" or "restrained." Its modern usage is almost entirely confined to the idiom "with bated breath," where it describes breath that is held back due to suspense.
• It is important not to confuse "bated" with "baited," which means to lure or tempt (e.g., a baited hook).

Adjective

1. diminished or moderated
   • our bated enthusiasm
   • his bated hopes