noun

• The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; a moderation; removal or putting an end to; the suppression.
• (accounting) The deduction of minor revenues incidental to an operation in calculating the cost of the operation.
• (law) The action of a person that abates, or without proper authority enters a residence after the death of the owner and before the heir takes possession.
• (law) The reduction of the proceeds of a will, when the debts have not yet been satisfied; the reduction of taxes due.
• An amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed; in particular from a tax.
• (heraldry) A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon; any figure added to the coat of arms tending to lower the dignity or station of the bearer.
• (Scotland) Waste of stuff in preparing to size.
• A beating down, a putting down.
• A quashing, a judicial defeat, the rendering abortive by law.
• Forcible entry of a stranger into an inheritance when the person seised of it dies, and before the heir or devisee can take possession; ouster.
• rebatement, real or imaginary marks of disgrace affixed to an escutcheon.