Which is correct bated breath or baited breath?

Bated is rarely used on its own as an adjective or verb anymore, but it lingers in the English language in the phrase bated breath. Baited breath is a common misspelling of bated breath.

What does waiting with baited breath mean?

: in a nervous and excited state anticipating what will happen They waited for the answer on their application with bated breath.

Where does the phrase with bated breath come from?

You’ll breathe easier once you master this frequently misused phrase. Bated breath first appeared in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice in 1605. Using a shortened form of abated, which means “stopped or reduced,” the phrase refers to people holding their breath in excitement or fear as they wait to see what happens next.

What is the definition of baited bated?

The words baited and bated are homophones, which means they sound alike but have different meanings. Baited is the past form of the verb bait, which means to tease, harass, or put food (or bait) in a trap. The word bated is a clipped form of the past tense of the verb abate, which means to reduce or restrain.

Who said bated breath?

Shakespeare is the first writer known to use it, in The Merchant of Venice, in which Shylock says to Antonio: “Shall I bend low and, in a bondman’s key, / With bated breath and whisp’ring humbleness, / Say this …”.

How do you use bated breath?

Example Sentences At the time of my annual results I would always be at home, waiting with bated breath for my parents to come back and announce it to me. She waited with bated breath to unwrap her birthday presents after the guests would leave.

Is the saying waiting with bated breath?

Eagerly or anxiously, as in We waited for the announcement of the winner with bated breath. This expression literally means “holding one’s breath” (bate means “restrain”). Today it is also used somewhat ironically, indicating one is not all that eager or anxious.

What did Shakespeare mean when he say bated breath?

In Shakespeare’s original text, “bated breath” is short of “abated breath,” as in diminished both in volume and power. To wait with bated breath therefore means to become as still and quiet as possible, waiting with great anxiety and anticipation.

What is the meaning of bated in English?

transitive verb. 1 : to reduce the force or intensity of : restrain waited with bated breath. 2 : to take away : deduct That grave and orderly senior was not going to bate a jot of his dignity …—

What is bated breath an example of?

Eagerly or anxiously, as in We waited for the announcement of the winner with bated breath. This expression literally means “holding one’s breath” (bate means “restrain”). Today it is also used somewhat ironically, indicating one is not all that eager or anxious. [Late 1500s] Also see hold one’s breath, def.

What is a bating?

noun The process of steeping hides and skins in an alkaline bath, to separate the lime, oil, and glutinous matter, and render them soft and pliable, and fit for tanning. noun The act of beating the wings; fluttering; fluttering away.