noun
1. : a deduction according to the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code from the taxable gross estate that amounts to the value of any property interest included therein and given by will, inheritance, survivorship or otherwise by a decedent to his or her surviving spouse provided that interest is not terminable during the life of the survivor but that is limited to one half the value of the adjusted gross estate — compare community property , estate tax
2. : the right under the United States gift tax law to deduct one half the value of any gift by one spouse to the other and to have gifts made by the spouses to a third person treated as though made one half by each — compare community property , gift tax