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With bated breath

//wɪð ˈbeɪtɪd ˈbɹɛθ// prep_phrase

Definitions

Prep_phrase
  1. 1
    With reduced breath.

    "Shall I bend low, and in a bond-mans key / With bated breath, and whiſpring humbleneſſe, / Say this:"

  2. 2
    Eagerly; with great anticipation. idiomatic

    "We are waiting with bated breath for the release of the new version."

Etymology

From the verb bate, alteration by aphesis of the verb abate (“to reduce; lessen”). Coined by William Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, see quotations.

See also for "with bated breath"

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