Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer
Please enter a legal issue and/or a location
Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select
FindLaw Legal Dictionary

The FindLaw Legal Dictionary -- free access to over 8260 definitions of legal terms. Search for a definition or browse our legal glossaries.

term:

Avoid

avoid vt

[modification of Old French esvuider to destroy, literally, to empty, from es- out + vuider to empty]
1 : to make void or undo
: annul [the trustee may any transfer of interest of the debtor in property "U.S. Code"]
2 : to respond to (an allegation or averment) by declaring that facts alleged do not result in liability [averments in a pleading to which no responsive pleading is required or permitted shall be taken as denied or ed "Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 8(d)"] see also confession and avoidance compare deny
3 : to prevent the occurrence of or responsibility for esp. through lawful means [ a tax] compare evade
avoid·abil·i·ty n

avoid·able adj

avoid·ance n



Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

Copied to clipboard

Find a Lawyer

More Options