what is bated breath mean
with bated breath - in a state of suspenseful anticipation.. Wikipedia says: The phrase bated breath, used in a sentence such as I am waiting for your answer with bated breath, refers to a state in which the speaker nearly stops breathing through fear, anxiety, awe, anticipation, or suspense. In this sense, bated is a contraction of the word abated.
Hobbies include hiking, genealogy and travel. 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.  Nothing to do with bait, of course (as in, the cat ate a lump of cheese and waited outside the mousehole with baited breath).