In the civil law. A gift; a giving of something. It is not exactly synonymous with “donation,” for the latter implies generosity or liberality in making a gift while dation may mean the giving of something to which the recipient is already entitled. Dation en paiement. In French law. A giving by the debtor and receipt by the creditor of something in payment of a debt, instead of a sum of money. It is somewhat like the accord and satisfaction of the common law. 16 Toullier, no. 45; Poth. Vente, no. 601.