abdicate
[ ab-di-keyt ]
/ ˈæb dɪˌkeɪt /
verb (used without object), ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing.
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.
verb (used with object), ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing.
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.
Nearby words
abderhalden, abderian laughter, abdias, abdicable, abdicant, abdicate, abdication, abdicative, abdom., abdomen, abdomin-
Origin of abdicate
SYNONYMS FOR abdicate
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for abdicate
British Dictionary definitions for abdicate
abdicate
/ (ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt) /
verb
to renounce (a throne, power, responsibility, rights, etc), esp formally
Derived Formsabdicable (ˈæbdɪkəbəl), adjectiveabdication, nounabdicative (æbˈdɪkətɪv), adjectiveabdicator, noun
Word Origin for abdicate
C16: from the past participle of Latin abdicāre to proclaim away, disclaim
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for abdicate
abdicate
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper