Abatement:
Reduction or rebate of an amount owed, usually by agreement with the person to whom the debt is owed. Debts or claims may be abated pro rata if there is not enough money to meet them all.
Ab initio:
(Latin) from the beginning.
Acceptance:
One of three requirements for a valid contract under common law (the other two being offer and consideration). A contract does not become legally binding until one party has made an offer and the other party indicates his readiness to accept the terms of the offer. Acceptance must be unconditionally communicated to the offeror while the offer is still open. Acceptance of an offer can, in certain circumstances, be implied by conduct.
