abdicate
[ab-di-keyt]
- to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner: The aging founder of the firm decided to abdicate.
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- to give up or renounce (authority, duties, an office, etc.), especially in a voluntary, public, or formal manner: King Edward VIII of England abdicated the throne in 1936.
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Origin of abdicate
Synonyms
See more synonyms for abdicate on Thesaurus.com1. resign, quit. 2. abandon, repudiate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for abdicate
Contemporary Examples
A palace insider however insisted to the Daily Beast today that the Queen was not about to abdicate.
Juan Carlos is the second European monarch to abdicate in just over a year.
Much like the British monarchy, when the current Aga Khan is ready to abdicate his post, he will personally choose a successor.
In recent decades it has become the tradition for the monarch to abdicate.
Historical Examples
Here he held the famous council as to whether he should abdicate the Mexican throne or not.
Aztec LandMaturin M. Ballou
You'd not do it again; or, if you did, not get Nap to abdicate.
Davenport Dunn, Volume 1 (of 2)Charles James Lever
Whenever you like to rebel, I shall be just as ready to abdicate.
A Rent In A CloudCharles James Lever
The man might abdicate; but the magistrate was irremoveable.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.Thomas Babington Macaulay
He was opposed to any negotiations for peace, and threatened to abdicate.
True to His HomeHezekiah Butterworth
abdicate
- to renounce (a throne, power, responsibility, rights, etc), esp formally
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Word Origin
C16: from the past participle of Latin abdicāre to proclaim away, disclaim
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for abdicate
v.
1540s, "to disown, disinherit (children)," from Latin abdicatus, past participle of abdicare "to disown, disavow, reject" (specifically abdicare magistratu "renounce office"), from ab- "away" (see ab-) + dicare "proclaim," from stem of dicere "to speak, to say" (see diction). Meaning "divest oneself of office" first recorded 1610s. Related: Abdicated; abdicating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper