abatement : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: abatement	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for abatement
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
abatement n an interruption in the intensity or amount of something Synonym(s): suspension, respite, reprieve, hiatus, abatement the act of abating; "laws enforcing noise abatement"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Abatement \Abate"ment\ (-m[eit]nt), n. [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, want of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated.