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abnegate

[ab-ni-geyt]
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verb (used with object), ab·ne·gat·ed, ab·ne·gat·ing.
  1. to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce.
  2. to relinquish; give up.
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Origin of abnegate

1650–60; < Latin abnegātus denied (past participle of abnegāre). See ab-, negate
Related formsab·ne·ga·tion, nounab·ne·ga·tor, nounun·ab·ne·gat·ed, adjectiveun·ab·ne·gat·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for abnegate

Historical Examples

  • In the vanity typical of the insecure, they abnegate all foreign knowledge.

    After the Rain

    Sam Vaknin

  • The most God-like man is the one who can abnegate without feeling the sacrifice.

    Where Art Begins

    Hume Nisbet

  • She spurns the doctrine that it is woman's position to abnegate and to immolate herself.

    The Salamander

    Owen Johnson

  • The fact of so little cultivation does not abnegate the existence of industry on the part of the villagers.

    The War Trail

    Mayne Reid

  • In those days the strong made no pretence to protect the weak, or to abnegate their natural power.

    Hodge and His Masters

    Richard Jefferies

British Dictionary definitions for abnegate

abnegate

verb
  1. (tr) to deny to oneself; renounce (privileges, pleasure, etc)
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Derived Formsabnegation, nounabnegator, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin abnegāre to deny
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for abnegate

v.

1650s, from Latin abnegatus, past participle of abnegare "to refuse, deny" (see abnegation). Related: Abnegated; abnegating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper