əˈbət, usu -d.+V verb
( abutted ; abutted ; abutting ; abuts )
Etymology: Middle English abutten, partly from Old French aboter, abouter to touch at one end, border on (from a- — from Latin ad- — + bout end, blow, from boter, bouter to strike), partly from Old French abuter to come to an end, aim, reach, from a- + but end, aim, purpose, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse butr piece of wood — more at butt (to strike), butt (end)
intransitive verb
: to touch (as of contiguous estates) along a border or with a projecting part
his land abuts on the road
: terminate at a point of contact (as with an adjacent structure) : lean or rest for support (as upon another structure) — used with on, upon, or against
transitive verb
1. : to border on : reach or touch with an end
two lots that abut each other
2. : to cause to abut : support by abutment
abut a timber against a post