Abatement
Ballentine's Law Dictionary · James A. Ballentine · 1916
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
Plea in abatement. A plea interposed for delay, or a plea to the jurisdiction or to the persons. Suspension or determination of an action by death, insanity or other disability of a party to the action. A proportionate reduction of the debt or legacy due where the fund or the estate is insufficient to meet full payment.
See 79 Va. 648.