Hypertext Webster Gateway: "abandonment"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Abandonment \A*ban"don*ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. abandonnement.]
1. The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned;
total desertion; relinquishment.
The abandonment of the independence of Europe.
--Burke.
2. (Mar. Law) The relinquishment by the insured to the
underwriters of what may remain of the property insured
after a loss or damage by a peril insured against.
3. (Com. Law)
(a) The relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege, as
to mill site, etc.
(b) The voluntary leaving of a person to whom one is bound
by a special relation, as a wife, husband, or child;
desertion.
4. Careless freedom or ease; abandon. [R.] --Carlyle.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
abandonment
n 1: the act of giving something up [syn: {forsaking}, {desertion}]
2: withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or
responsibility; "his abandonment of his wife and children
left them penniless" [syn: {desertion}, {defection}]
3: the voluntary surrender of property (or a right to property)
without attempting to reclaim it or give it away
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