A

vb. To beat down; to overthrow. To quash, to destroy. To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope. To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price. To blunt. To reduce in estimation; to deprive. 

 - (Law) (a) To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away with; as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ. (b) (Eng. Law) To diminish; to reduce. Legacies are liable ...