abat-sons

noun

ˌäˌbäˈsōⁿ,
French ȧbȧsōⁿ
plural abat-sons
-ōⁿz,
French -ōⁿ
: a device for throwing sound downward (such as louver boards in a belfry)

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, literally, "(it) strikes down (abat) the sounds (sons)," from abattre "to strike down," + sons, plural of son "sound," going back to Old French

First Known Use

circa 1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abat-sons was circa 1879

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Dictionary Entries Near abat-sons

Cite this Entry

“Abat-sons.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abat-sons. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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