What is abate meaning?

The word "abate" means to lessen or decrease in intensity, severity, or amount. It can be used to describe the reduction of anything from pain and noise to storms and emotions. Abatement is often used legal or environmental contexts, referring to the mitigation or elimination of a problem or hazard. The word comes from the Old French word "abattre," meaning "to strike down," and ultimately derives from the Latin "abbatere," meaning "to beat down."