demolition (demolish on)

[OF. demoli tion, F. démolition = Pr. demolition = Sp. demo licion = Pg. demolição = It. demo liz i one = D. de molitie, Even God's demo in tions are super-edifications, his anatomies, his di ections are so many recompact ings, so many resurrections. Donne , Sermons, xi. Their one great object was the demolition of the idols and the purification of the sanctuary. Macaulay , Hallam's Const. Hist. After scattering all arguments for a political institution, Whipple , E . and Rev., I. 26. he often opposes its demolition , from expediency. 2. In French law , abatement; annulment: as, an action in demolition of a servitude or a nuisance.