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To beat down; to overthrow. [Obs.] The King of Scots . . . sore abated the walls. Edw. Hall.

The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof.

One who, or that which, abates.

A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the enemy.

Provided with an abatis.

(a) One who abates a nuisance. (b) A person who, without right, enters into a freehold on the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee. Blackstone.

A public slaughterhouse for cattle, sheep, etc.

Grass and sprigs beaten or trampled down by a stag passing through them. Crabb.

The sounding-board over a pulpit or rostrum.

Belonging to an abbey; as, abbatial rights.

Abbatial. [Obs.]

The act or posture of reclining on a couch, as practiced by the ancients at meals.

To sour; to imbitter; to irritate.

One who practices rope dancing, high vaulting, or other daring gymnastic feats.

Pertaining to an acrobat. -- Ac`ro*bat"ic*al*ly, adv.

Feats of the acrobat; daring gymnastic feats; high vaulting.

Having acute lobes, as some leaves.

Not giving out or receiving heat. -- Ad`i*a*bat`ic*al*ly, adv. Adiabatic line or curve, a curve exhibiting the variations of pressure and volume of a fluid when it expands without either receiving or giving out heat. Rankine.

A white metallic alloy; which is made into spoons, forks, teapots, etc. British plate or German silver. See German silver, under German.

A web-footed bird, of the genus Diomedea, of which there are several species. They are the largest of sea birds, capable of long- continued flight, and are often seen at great distances from the land. They are found chiefly in the southern hemisphere.