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Webster 1913 Edition


Abatement

A-bate′ment

(-ment)
,
Noun.
[OF.
abatement
, F.
abattement
.]
1.
The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to;
as, the
abatement
of a nuisance is the suppression thereof
.
2.
The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed.
3.
(Her.)
A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon.
4.
(Law)
The entry of a stranger, without right, into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee.
Blackstone.
Defense in abatement
,
Plea in abatement
,
(Law)
,
plea to the effect that from some formal defect (e.g. misnomer, lack of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated.

Webster 1828 Edition


Abatement

ABA'TEMENT

,
Noun.
1.
The act of abating; the state of being abated.
2.
A reduction, removing, or pulling down as of a nuisance.
3.
Diminution, decrease, or mitigation, as of grief or pain.
4.
Deduction, sum withdraw, as from an account.
5.
Overthrow, failure or defeat, as of a writ.
6.
The entry of a stranger into a freehold after the death of the tenant, before the heir or devisee.
7.
In heraldry, a mark of dishonor in a coat of arms, by which its dignity is debased for some stain on the character of the wearer.

Definition 2024


abatement

abatement

English

Pronunciation

  • (US, UK) IPA(key): /əˈbeɪt.mənt/

Noun

abatement (plural abatements)

  1. The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; a moderation; removal or putting an end to; the suppression of. [First attested from 1340 to 1470.][2][1]
    the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof.
  2. The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed; in particular from a tax. [Late 15th century.][2]
  3. (heraldry) A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon; any figure added to the coat of arms tending to lower the dignity or station of the bearer.[3][Early 17th century.][2]
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English, from Anglo-Norman abatre (to abate) + -ment.[3]

Noun

abatement (plural abatements)

  1. (law) The action of a person that abates, or without proper authority enters a residence after the death of the owner and before the heir takes possession.[3]
  2. (law) The reduction of the proceeds of a will, when the debts have not yet been satisfied; the reduction of taxes due.[4][First attested around 1150 to 1350.][2]

References

  1. 1 2 Elliott K. Dobbie, C. William Dunmore, Robert K. Barnhart, et al. (editors), Chambers Dictionary of Etymology (Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2004 [1998], ISBN 0550142304), page 2
  2. 1 2 3 4 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 2
  3. 1 2 3 Philip Babcock Gove (editor), Webster's Third International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged (G. & C. Merriam Co., 1976 [1909], ISBN 0-87779-101-5)
  4. Laurence Urdang (editor), The Random House College Dictionary (Random House, 1984 [1975], ISBN 0-394-43600-8), page 1
  • The Manual of Heraldry, Fifth Edition, by Anonymous, London, 1862, online at

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