/euh bayt"meuhnt/ , n.
1. the act or state of abating or the state of being abated; reduction; decrease; alleviation; mitigation.
2. suppression or termination: abatement of a nuisance; noise abatement.
3. an amount deducted or subtracted, as from the usual price or the full tax.
4. Law.
a. a reduction of a tax assessment.
b. the termination of a nuisance.
c. 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.
d. 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.
[ 1300-50; ME ]
Syn. 1. lessening, letup, diminution. 2. end, cessation.
Ant. 1. intensification, increase.