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.
RELATED WORDS
relinquish, vacate, forgo, renounce, quit, retire, waive, cede, drop, resign, leave, abjure, yield, withdraw, abnegate, abandon, surrender, demit, quitclaim
Nearby words
- abderhalden,
- abderian laughter,
- abdias,
- abdicable,
- abdicant,
- abdication,
- abdicative,
- abdom.,
- abdomen,
- abdomin-
Origin of abdicate
SYNONYMS FOR abdicate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for abdicate
abdicate
/ (ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt) /
verb
to renounce (a throne, power, responsibility, rights, etc), esp formally
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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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