Definition of bated

The word "bated" has its roots in Old English and comes from the verb "beohtan," which means to hold back, restrain, or conceal. The Old English word evolved through Middle English to become "baten" or "beten," which meant to hold one's breath or remain silent. The origin of the modern English spelling of "bated" is a bit complex. In early Middle English, the word was spelled "baten" or "beten," and it was pronounced bāt�ən or bet�ən. Later, as Middle English evolved into early Modern English, the word begun to be spelled "baited" due to the influence of the verb "bait" meaning to provoke or tempt, which came from the same Old English root as "beohtan." However, the spelling of "bated" started to reemerge in the late 16th century, possibly due to the influence of Latin words like "tardus" meaning slow, which also evolved from a root similar to "beohtan." The spelling "bated" became popular because it more closely reflected the pronunciation of the Middle English word, and it has remained the preferred spelling ever since. Today, the primary meaning of "bated" is to suppress or restrain an emotion, habit, or action. For example, "his heart was bated as he waited for the results of the test" indicates that the person's excitement or nervousness was held in check. The word is also sometimes used figuratively to suggest a moment of tense silence before an important event, such as a starting gun at a race. In conclusion, the origin of the word "bated" can be traced back to Old English, where it meant to hold back, conceal, or remain silent by holding one's breath. Its modern meaning, however, reflects a more complex linguistic history involving both the evolution of Middle English and the influence of other related words from Old English.