abatement

Etymology

From Middle English abatement, from Anglo-Norman abatre (“to abate”) (from Old French abatre), + -ment; equivalent to abate + -ment.

noun

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.
   The abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof.
2. (accounting) The deduction of minor revenues incidental to an operation in calculating the cost of the operation.
3. (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.
4. (law) The reduction of the proceeds of a will, when the debts have not yet been satisfied; the reduction of taxes due.
5. An amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed; in particular from a tax.
6. (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.
7. (Scotland) Waste of stuff in preparing to size.
8. A beating down, a putting down.
9. A quashing, a judicial defeat, the rendering abortive by law.
10. Forcible entry of a stranger into an inheritance when the person seised of it dies, and before the heir or devisee can take possession; ouster.
11. rebatement, real or imaginary marks of disgrace affixed to an escutcheon.