abatement
UK: əˈbeɪtmənt | US: əˈbeɪtmənt
n. the act or process of reducing or suppressing something (e.g., noise, pollution, or a legal claim)
n. a decrease in intensity or degree
abate<reduce> + ment<noun suffix>
- abate: From Old French abatre (to beat down, reduce), combining a- (intensive prefix) + batre (to beat).
- ment: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or resulting state (from Latin -mentum).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Old French abatre, meaning "to beat down," reflecting physical force weakening something. Over time, it broadened to abstract reductions (e.g., legal claims or pollution). The suffix -ment solidifies it as a noun denoting the process or result of reduction.
The new policy led to a significant abatement in industrial emissions.
Noise abatement measures were introduced near the airport.
The court ordered the abatement of the nuisance.
There was a noticeable abatement in his enthusiasm after the setback.
Tax abatement programs encourage business investments in urban areas.