abator1
/əˈbeɪtə/Law. Now chiefly historical
noun
A person who takes possession of land between the death of the owner and the accession of the legal heir.
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.
abator2
/əˈbeɪtə/Now rare
noun
= abater.
Origin
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.