abator

[ABATE, ABATER.] 1. Law : One who, on the death of a person seised of an inheritance, enters it before the rightful heir or devisee can take po e ion. 2. One who abates a nuisance. 3. An agent or cause through or by which an abatement is effected. ABATTIS. abattis or abatis (pron. a-bat-te as a French word, but often, as English, a-bắt'tis), s. [Fr. abatis , from abattre = to beat down.] 1. Rubbish. 2. Fort.: A temporary defence formed by felling trees, and placing them in a row, with their boughs, which are pointed, directed against the enemy; they impede the advance of the foe, besides affording cover for the defenders to fire over.