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abut
verb
To touch by means of a mutual border, edge, or end; to border on or lie adjacent to something. Most commonly used to describe how pieces of land, buildings, or other physical structures meet at their boundaries.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
Root: abuttare, but — "from, away, off"
Example
"The new shopping center will abut the residential neighborhood, creating concerns about increased traffic and noise for homeowners."
Usage Notes
Abut is primarily used in formal, technical, or legal contexts, especially in property law, architecture, and geography. It's more precise than 'border' or 'touch,' implying direct physical contact at boundaries. Common in real estate descriptions and surveying. Less familiar to general audiences than simpler alternatives like 'border' or 'adjoin.'