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ABATEMENT

Volume 2 · 92 words · 1842 Edition

in commerce, a term used for a prohibition of trade to all French merchants in the ports of the Levant who will not stand to their bargains, or refuse to pay their debts. It is a sentence of the French consul, which must be taken off before they can sue any person for the payment of their debts.

in Heraldry, an accidental figure supposed to have been added to coats of arms, in order to denote some dishonourable demeanour or stain, whereby the dignity of coat armour was rendered of less esteem.