AVOIDANCE, from "avoid" (O.Fr. esvuidier or evider, to empty out), the action of making empty, void or null, hence, in law, invalidation, annulment (see CONFESSION AND AVOID ANCE) ; also the becoming void or vacant, hence in ecclesiastical law a term signifying the vacancy of a benefice. In general use, the word means the action of keeping away from anything, shunning.