recuse

[ri-kyooz]

verb (used with object), re·cused, re·cus·ing.

to reject or challenge (a judge or juror) as disqualified to act, especially because of interest or bias.

verb (used without object), re·cused, re·cus·ing.

to withdraw from a position of judging so as to avoid any semblance of partiality or bias.

Origin of recuse

1350–1400; Middle English recusen < Middle French recuser < Latin recūsāre; see recusant

Related formsrec·u·sa·tion

[rek-yoo-zey-shuh n] /ˌrɛk yʊˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for recuse

Contemporary Examples of recuse

Doing so makes it unnecessary for judges to decide themselves whether to recuse.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer
Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity
April 28, 2014
Through letters to the involved parties, she admitted to failing to recuse herself in all five of the cases.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer
Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity
April 28, 2014
The judge said the royalty payment did not require him to recuse himself, according to 10th Circuit Clerk of Court Betsy Shumaker.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer
Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity
April 28, 2014
The decision on whether to recuse is ultimately up to the judge.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer
Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity
April 28, 2014
Cuccinelli has been called on to recuse himself and his office from the case.
Virginia Republicans’ One-Two Punch of Financial Scandals
Caitlin Dickson
April 2, 2013

Historical Examples of recuse

Or he may recuse the judge, which should be referred to the Suprema and not to arbiters, who cause much delay.
A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 3
Henry Charles Lea
Boccaccio must have been a clever fellow to write both argument and story; I am not, et je me recuse.
Vailima Letters
Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for recuse

recuse

verb US, Canadian and Southern African

(tr; reflexive) to remove from participation in a court case due to potential prejudice or partiality

Word Origin for recuse

C19: see recusant

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 recuse

late 14c., "to reject another's authority as prejudiced," from Old French recuser (13c.), from Latin recusare "make an objection against; decline, refuse, reject; be reluctant to," from re- (see re-) + causa (see cause (n.)). Specifically, in law, "reject or challenge (a judge or juror) as disqualified to act." The word now is used mostly reflectively. Related: Recused; recusing.