abnegate

[ab-ni-geyt]

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verb (used with object), ab·ne·gat·ed, ab·ne·gat·ing.

to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce.

to relinquish; give up.

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. 2019

Related Words for abnegate

forbear, decline, abstain, refrain, forgo, reject

Examples from the Web for abnegate

Historical Examples of abnegate

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

(tr) to deny to oneself; renounce (privileges, pleasure, etc)

Derived Formsabnegation, nounabnegator, noun

Word Origin for abnegate

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

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