The spelling of "Estop" can be confusing as it is often misspelled as "Estopp" or "Estoppel". However, the correct spelling of the word is "Estop". The word comes from French, where it is spelled "estoper". In IPA phonetic transcription, "Estop" is pronounced as /ˈiː.stɑːp/. The stress falls on the first syllable, and the /p/ at the end is pronounced with a light, unreleased sound. "Estop" is a legal term that means to stop or bar someone from taking a certain action.
Estop is a legal term primarily used in English law and refers to the act of putting an end or stopping any action or process. It is a verb that signifies bringing an immediate halt to a particular situation or preventing something from occurring further.
In the legal context, estop is commonly used to describe the legal principle of estoppel, which prevents a person from going back on a previous assertion or denying something that they previously affirmed, resulting in an equitable or legal bar against them to act differently. Estoppel is often invoked in situations where one party has relied on the statements or actions of another, and subsequently, it would be unjust or unfair for the other party to change their position or claim a different course of action.
Beyond the legal realm, estop is employed more broadly to indicate a cessation or interruption in various circumstances. It can be utilized in formal settings such as ending a contractual agreement or ceasing a lawsuit, as well as in everyday conversations to mean stopping an action or bringing an end to something.
Overall, estop conveys the idea of imposing a break or hindrance, whether legally or informally, to prevent a particular action, assertion, or process from continuing further.
To bar; to place under estoppel.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word estop originates from Middle English, specifically from Old French estoper which means to stop up or to block. It entered the English language in the early 15th century, most likely through the legal context. In law, estop refers to preventing or barring someone from making a particular claim or argument due to their previous words or actions. Over time, the term has also been used in other contexts to mean to hinder, to prevent, or to prohibit.