A*bate"ment (-ment), 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.
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