abatement

[ uh-beyt-muhnt ]
/ əˈbeɪt mənt /

noun

the act or state of abating or the state of being abated; reduction; decrease; alleviation; mitigation.
suppression or termination: abatement of a nuisance; noise abatement.
an amount deducted or subtracted, as from the usual price or the full tax.
Law.
  1. a reduction of a tax assessment.
  2. the termination of a nuisance.
  3. a wrongful entry on land made by a stranger, after the owner's death and before the owner's heir or devisee has obtained possession.
  4. a decrease in the legacies of a will when the assets of an estate are insufficient to pay all general legacies in full.
Also called rebatement. Heraldry. a charge or mark that, when introduced into a coat of arms, indicates the owner's disgrace.

Origin of abatement

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French; see abate, -ment

Example sentences from the Web for abatement

British Dictionary definitions for abatement

abatement
/ (əˈbeɪtmənt) /

noun

diminution or alleviation; decrease
suppression or termination the abatement of a nuisance
the amount by which something is reduced, such as the cost of an article
property law a decrease in the payment to creditors or legatees when the assets of the debtor or estate are insufficient to meet all payments in full
property law (formerly) a wrongful entry on land by a stranger who takes possession after the death of the owner and before the heir has entered into possession