Also 5–7 estopp(e. [a. OF. estoper, estoupper (sense 1), and AF. estopper (sense 2), f. OF. estoupe (mod.F. étoupe) = Pr. and Sp. estopa, It. stoppa:—L. stuppa tow. Cf. STOP v.]
1. trans. To stop with or as with a dam, plug or bar; to fill up (a pool). arch.
[1292. Britton, I. xxx. § 8. Devises remuez, chemins et euwes estopez.]
a. 1420. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 63. For God estopped eke the concepcioun Of every woman of his [Pharaoh’s] mansioun.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 61. A barre to estop … the mouthes of the people.
1621. Bolton, Stat. Irel., 51 (Act 8 Hen. VII.). They have estopped both parts of the Podell.
1860. Russell, Diary India, II. 109. The road … winds along the side of a barren mountain … till it appears to be estopped by a high cliff.
2. Law. To stop, bar, hinder, preclude. Chiefly refl. and in pass., to be precluded by one’s own previous act or declaration from doing or alleging something. Const. † of, to with inf. [= AF. estopper à with inf.], and in recent use from; also simply.
1531. Dial. on Laws Eng., I. xix. (1638), 34. The law in such cases giveth no remedy to him that is estopped.
1594. West, Symbol., II. Chancerie, § 37. A man may not deny … that whereof he wilfully estopped or excluded himselfe by deed indented.
1598. Kitchin, Courts Leet (1675), 303. He is estopped to say contrary.
1654. Burton’s Diary (1828), I. Introd. 31. An indenture can estopp only such as are parties, and where an interest is also conferred.
1767. Blackstone, Comm., II. 295. And therefore a man shall always be estopped by his own deed, or not permitted to aver or prove any thing in contradiction to what he has once so solemnly and deliberately avowed.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1872), I. 201. The lord who had granted the charter of franchise was estopped from claiming him again.
1884. Law Times Rep., 16 Feb., 773/1. L. had sworn that the lights in question were not ancient, and was therefore estopped from alleging … that they were ancient.
b. gen. To stop, prevent. rare.
1876. Bret Harte, G. Conroy, III. iii. 101. An event to be expected, feared, and if possible, estopped by fasting and prayer.
3. To cease from, stop. rare.
1796. J. Anstey, Pleader’s Guide (1803), 121. Nor would the Fates estop their task, To help thee over Quinden’ Pasch.
