Act 1, Scene III
Shylock . . .
Are you looking for phrases or just individual words? Phrases include: To thine own self be true ..with bated breath There is something rotten in the state of Denmark. To be or not to be-that is the question. Neither a borrower or a lender be Sweets for the sweet Not a mouse stirring ..a foregone conclusion I am sure there is more, that's all I can think of at the moment.
Alice Campbell has written: 'Keep away from water!' 'No murder of mine' 'With bated breath' 'Death framed in silver' 'Murder in Paris' -- subject- s -: Fiction
The phrase "waiting with bated breath" originated from William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" written in the late 16th century. The term "bated" is a shortened form of "abated," which means to lessen or reduce, suggesting that one is holding their breath in anticipation or suspense.
First, note that it is "bated" breath. Though the form "baited" is often used, it is still considered to be a misspelling. ["Baited" has a different sense, too.] "Bated" is a clipped form [technically, an aphetic] of "abated," just as squireis a clipped form of esquire. Abated means "lessened," "weakened," or "diminished": the word stresses the idea of progressive diminishing, as in the storm abated. The expression "bated breath" appears in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, but the origin of the idiom "waiting with bated breath" is lost in the dark past of our language.
It's "waiting with BATED breath". To bate is to reduce, lessen or diminish. Waiting with bated breath implies waiting with such suspense that one is hardly breathing.
First, note that it is "bated" breath. Though the form "baited" is often used, it is still considered to be a misspelling. ["Baited" has a different sense, too.] "Bated" is a clipped form [technically, an aphetic] of "abated," just as squireis a clipped form of esquire. Abated means "lessened," "weakened," or "diminished": the word stresses the idea of progressive diminishing, as in the storm abated. The expression "bated breath" appears in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, but the origin of the idiom "waiting with bated breath" is lost in the dark past of our language.
The phrase "bated breath" meaning holding or restricting one's breath, was used in Shakespeare, in the Merchant of Venice, in 1596, but was also used in other ways at that time. The word bate meaning to reduce or lessen is now archaic and its use is now only in this phrase and in its derivative form "to abate" meaning to reduce or lessen.
William Shakespeare - he coined many words and phrases - with bated breath (merchant of Venice) - - a foregone conclusion (Othello) -. His use of language also shaped today's language.
Unfortunately, there is no movie yet for this book. Though, I am waiting with bated breath for someone to make it a movie.
Nothing to do with bait, of course (as in, the cat ate a lump of cheese and waited outside the mousehole with baited breath). In fact, BATED is short for ABATED, or ceased; it just means holding your breath. Bated breath is breathing that is difficult because of emotion.
Nothing to do with bait, of course (as in, the cat ate a lump of cheese and waited outside the mousehole with baited breath). In fact, BATED is short for ABATED, or ceased; it just means holding your breath. Bated breath is breathing that is difficult because of emotion.
I stood with bated breath as she moved closer to me. With their now much bated paychecks, it was no wonder the employees began to rob the company blind.
Starlight Theatre - 1950 With Bated Breath 2-20 was released on: USA: 9 August 1951
I await with bated breath the movies' sequel.