bating

She packed everything for the trip, bating her toothbrush.

Definition

1. Preposition: "bating" means "except" or "excluding." It is used to indicate that something is left out or not included in a general statement.

   • Example meaning: All were present, bating John. (Everyone was there except John.)

2. Verb (archaic, present participle of "bate"): "bating" as a verb form means "lessening" or "diminishing." It can also mean "abating" or "reducing in intensity."

   • Example meaning: The storm is bating. (The storm is weakening.)

Usage Examples

• Preposition:

  • Everyone agreed to the plan, bating a few minor objections. (Everyone agreed, except for a few small issues.)
  • The store sells all kinds of fruit, bating oranges. (The store sells all fruit except oranges.)

• Verb (archaic):

  • His anger was bating as the hours passed. (His anger was decreasing over time.)
  • The wind is bating, so we can sail now. (The wind is weakening, so we can sail now.)

Advanced Usage

• "bating none": an archaic phrase meaning "excepting no one" or "including everyone."
  • The king invited all his subjects, bating none. (The king invited every subject without exception.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bate (verb): to lessen, diminish, or reduce.
  • He refused to bate his demands. (He would not reduce his demands.)
• Abate (verb): to become less intense or widespread (a more common modern form).
  • The floodwaters began to abate. (The floodwaters started to recede.)

Synonyms

• Except: excluding a specific person or thing.
  • All are welcome, except children. (Children are not allowed.)
• Excluding: leaving out deliberately.
  • The price is $50, excluding tax. (Tax is not included.)
• Save: (archaic) except.
  • All was lost save a single book. (Everything was lost except one book.)

Related Idioms

• "bate an eyelid": to show a reaction (usually in the negative, "not bate an eyelid").
  • He heard the news without batting an eyelid. (He showed no surprise or emotion.)