abatement

Meaning

Noun

• 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.
• The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed; in particular from a tax.
• 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.
• Waste of stuff in preparing to size.
• 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.
• The reduction of the proceeds of a will, when the debts have not yet been satisfied; the reduction of taxes due.

Related

Similar words

• allowance, rebate, remission

Opposite words

• accession, accretion, aggrandizement, augmentation, development, dilation, enlargement, growth, increase, increment,

Origin

• From Middle English abatement, from Old French abatre. Equivalent to abate + -ment.
• From Middle English abatement, from Anglo-Norman abatre ("to abate") + -ment.