Strife; contention.
An alkaline lye which neutralizes the effect of the previous application of lime, and makes hides supple in the process of tanning.
In plain English: Bate is a chemical used in tanning animal skins to soften them after they've been treated with lime.
"The tanner added bate to the softened leather to prepare it for dyeing."
Usage: Bate (noun) refers specifically to an alkaline substance used in tanning leather-it counteracts the effects of lime applied earlier in the process. You wouldn't use "bate" in everyday conversation; it's a technical term for a specific application in leatherworking.
moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
"He bated his breath when talking about this affair"
"capable of bating his enthusiasm"
flap the wings wildly or frantically; used of falcons
soak in a special solution to soften and remove chemicals used in previous treatments
"bate hides and skins"
To reduce the force of something; to abate.
To contend or strive with blows or arguments.
To soak leather so as to remove chemicals used in tanning; to steep in bate.
simple past tense of beat; = beat.
To masturbate.
In plain English: Bate means to stimulate yourself sexually with your hands.
"He was embarrassed to admit he would often bate when studying late at night."
Usage: Bate (verb) means to exhaust or weaken something, often through repeated striking or battering. It's an archaic term, primarily found in older literature describing the wearing down of defenses or fortifications - not a synonym for "masturbate."
A surname, from given names.