A person who takes possession of land between the death of the owner and the accession of the legal heir.
noun
= abater.
((n.) One who abates a nuisance.|--|(n.) A person who, without right, enters into a freehold on the
death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee.|--|)
Origin:
Early 16th century; earliest use found in John Rastell (c1475–1536), lawyer and printer. From Anglo-Norman abatour person who abates (in a tenement); in later use with remodelling of the suffix after -or<br>late 16th century; earliest use found in Samuel Daniel (?1563–1619), poet and historian. From abate + -or. Compare Middle French abatteur person who takes down, knocks down, fells. Compare also Anglo-Norman abatour.
