ABATOR is, 1st, he who abates¹ or prostrates² a nuisance; 2, he who having no right of entry, gets possession of the freehold to the prejudiae of an heir or devisee, after the time when the ancestor died, and before the heir or devisee enters. See article Abatement³. Litt. 897; Perk⁴. 383; 1 Inst. 271; 2 Prest. Abst. 296. 300. As to the consequences of an abator dying in possession, See Adams' Eject. 43.

ABATUDA, obsolete⁵. Any thing diminished; as, moneta abatuda, which is money clipped or diminished in value. Cowell, h. t.

ABAVUS, civil law, is the great grandfather, or fourth male ascendant. Abavia, is the great grandmother, or fourth female ascendant.

ABBEY, abbatia, is a society of religious persons, having an abbot or abbess to preside over them. Formerly⁶ some of the most considerable abbots and priors in England had seats and votes in the house of lords. The prior of St. John's of Jerusalem, was styied the first baron⁷ of England, in respect to the lay barons⁸, but he was the last of the spiritual barons.

ABBREVIATION, practice. – The omission⁹ of some words or letters in writing; as when fieri facias is written fi. fa.

2. In writing contracts it is the better practice to make no abbreviations; but in recognizances, and many other contracts, they are used; as John Doe tent to prosecute¹⁰, &c. Richard Roe¹¹ tent to appear, &c. when the recognizances are used, they are drawn¹² out in extenso. See 4 Ca. & P. 61; S.C.19E.C.L.R.268; 9 Co.48.