ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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noun

abatement

uh-BAYT-munt/əˈbeɪtmənt/

A reduction in something unwanted or in an amount owed.

The abatement of the downpour leaves only a light drizzle.

A two-stage view of the same small outdoor scene shows heavy rain easing to a light drizzle.

Etymology

aLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+bateLatinbeat or strike

+mentOld Frenchan action, state, or result

The underlying image is “beating down,” extended from overthrowing something to reducing it. The noun ending names the act or state of that reduction, including a lessening of intensity or seriousness.

In context

Storytime Haven420:22

a lifetime, awoke to the woman's need. Gently she stroked the beautiful head that lay so meekly on her lap; and as the girl sobbed with but little appearance of abatement, she said to her softly:

✨ The Man by Bram Stoker | A Tale of Love, Courage & Destiny 📖

More examples

The city offers a temporary tax abatement.
The storm continued without abatement through the night.
Soundproof windows provide some abatement of street noise.

Forms

abatement · abatements

Similar words

reduction: A broad decrease without necessarily addressing an unwanted condition.
remission: Often means relief from illness or cancellation of a debt.