“Bated” is one of the many words Shakespeare invented (or at least he was the first person to put the word on a piece of paper that survived to this day).
“Bated” is a form of “abate,” which means “to diminish, beat down, or reduce.” So when you’re waiting with bated (read: abated) breath, you’re so eager, anxious, excited, or frightened that you’re almost holding your breath.
Ain’t the interweb wonnerful?
I ant nevr seen sush a thang as thes...All dis peeps telln me how 2 speek!!
LOL!!!
The talking, spelling police...
Damn like liveals....
Dicifer dat.