ABATEMENT

generally, a lessening or reduction; also, either a termination or a temporary suspension of a lawsuit. An ABATEMENT OF LEGACY means that the legacy to a beneficiary is either reduced or completely eliminated because of debts that must first be paid out of the decedent's estate. An ABATEMENT OF TAXES is a tax rebate or decrease.

See nuisance [ABATEMENT OF A NUISANCE]. Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016