Abatement of a freehold

ABATEMENT OF A FREEHOLD. The entry of a stranger after the death of theancestor, and before the heir or devisee takes possession, by which therightful possession of the heir or devisee is defeated. 3 Bl. 1 Com. 167;Co. Lit. 277, a; Finch's Law, 1 195; Arch. Civ. Pl. 11.
2. By the ancient laws of Normandy, this term was used to signify theact of one who, having an apparent right of possession to an estate, tookpossession of it immediately after the death of the actual possessor, beforethe heir entered. Howard, Anciennes Lois des Frangais, tome 1, p. 539.