bated

/ˈbeɪtɪd/
adjective
  1. Held back or reduced in force, intensity, or amount; used almost exclusively in the phrase 'with bated breath' meaning in a state of anxious or excited anticipation.
    • The children waited with bated breath for the magician to reveal his final trick.
    • Fans watched with bated breath as the underdog team scored the winning goal in the last second.
    • She opened the letter with bated breath, hoping for good news from the university.
What does "bated" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean