abatement

American  

[uh-beyt-muhnt] / əˈbeɪt mənt /

noun

1. the act or state of abating or the state of being abated; reduction; decrease; alleviation; mitigation.

   Synonyms:

   diminution, letup

   Antonyms:

   increase, increase, intensification

2. suppression or termination.

   abatement of a nuisance; noise abatement.

   Synonyms:

   cessation, end

3. an amount deducted or subtracted, as from the usual price or the full tax.

4. 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.

5. Also called rebatement.  Heraldry. a charge or mark that, when introduced into a coat of arms, indicates the owner's disgrace.

---

Etymology

Origin of abatement

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French; equivalent to abate + -ment

Example Sentences

If the council agrees the lights amount to a statutory nuisance, it can issue an abatement notice which if ignored could result in a fine.

From BBC

The suit seeks a court order requiring the wells to be properly plugged, as well as abatement for the harms caused by their pollution.

From Los Angeles Times

The two-year program prepares graduates for careers in a variety of fields, from zookeeping to Hollywood animal training, wildlife conservation and even pest abatement.

From Los Angeles Times

It follows a nuisance abatement action brought by the town “after years of inaction by the property’s owners, the Charles Co., and its affiliate M&A Gabaee,” the city said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Add to that a sprawling transportation network, fast-growing cities and generous incentive packages — tax abatements, relocation grants, expedited permitting — and it’s little wonder that companies from multiple sectors now treat Texas as a default destination.

From Salon