Etymograph

English

abatement

Abatement comes from Anglo-Norman abatre ‘to abate’, from Old French abatre ‘to knock over’, and ultimately from Latin battere.

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEbattere
  2. Late Latinc. 200–600 CEabbattere
  3. Old Frenchc. 842–1400abatre‘to knock over’
  4. Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400same form‘to abate’
  5. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500abatement
  6. Englishtodaysame form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEbattere
  2. Late Latinc. 200–600 CEabbattere
  3. Old Frenchc. 842–1400abatre‘to knock over’
  4. Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400same form‘to abate’
  5. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500abatement
  6. Englishtodaysame form

Formed from abate + -ment

Proto-Indo-European *bʰedʰ-

Latin battere

Late Latin abbattere

Anglo-Norman abatre

Middle English abaten ‘to beat down, bring down, calm down’

English abate

Linked words

through Latin battere

bat, batter, batten, 8 more

through Old French abatre ‘to knock over’

bate, abattoir, 3 more

Today it means

noun The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; a moderation; removal or putting an end to; the suppression.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Latin battere / abatement

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