estoppel

[ e-stop-uhl ]

/ ɛˈstɒp əl /

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noun Law.

a bar or impediment preventing a party from asserting a fact or a claim inconsistent with a position that party previously took, either by conduct or words, especially where a representation has been relied or acted upon by others.

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Origin of estoppel

First recorded in 1575–85, estoppel is from the Middle French word estoupail stopper. See estop, -al²

Words nearby estoppel

Estonia, Estonian, estop, esto perpetua, estoppage, estoppel, Estoril, Estournelles de Constant, d', estovers, Estrada Cabrera, estrade

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use estoppel in a sentence

In the latter statement the members of the Oregon Milling Company, who signed the petition, stated an estoppel to themselves.
Dr. John McLoughlin, the Father of Oregon|Frederick Van Voorhies Holman
It is one of the privileges of deeds as distinguished from simple contracts that they operate by way of estoppel.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7|Various
Estoppel is said to arise in three ways— by record or judgment, by deed, and by matter in pais or conduct.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7|Various
History now pleads them as an estoppel against his followers.
Thirty Years' View (Vol. II of 2)|Thomas Hart Benton

No excuse of State Rights, no fine-spun technicality, no plea of irregularity, no argument of estoppel can be heard.
Charles Sumner; his complete works, volume 18 (of 20)|Charles Sumner

British Dictionary definitions for estoppel

estoppel

/ (ɪˈstɒpəl) /

noun

law a rule of evidence whereby a person is precluded from denying the truth of a statement of facts he has previously assertedSee also conclusion

Word Origin for estoppel

C16: from Old French estoupail plug, from estoper to stop up; see estop

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012