abandon

1
[ uh-ban-duhn ]
/ əˈbæn dən /

verb (used with object)

Origin of abandon

1
1325–75; Middle English abando(u)nen < Middle French abandoner for Old French ( mettre) a bandon (put) under (someone's) jurisdiction, equivalent to a at, to (< Latin ad; see ad-) + bandon < Germanic *band; see bond1

synonym study for abandon

1. See desert2. 2. Abandon, relinquish, renounce mean to give up all concern in something. Abandon means to give up or discontinue any further interest in something because of discouragement, weariness, distaste, or the like: to abandon one's efforts. Relinquish implies being or feeling compelled to give up something one would prefer to keep: to relinquish a long-cherished desire. Renounce implies making (and perhaps formally stating) a voluntary decision to give something up: to renounce worldly pleasures.

OTHER WORDS FROM abandon

Definition for abandon (2 of 3)

abandon 2
[ uh-ban-duhn ]
/ əˈbæn dən /

noun

a complete surrender to natural impulses without restraint or moderation; freedom from inhibition or conventionality: to dance with reckless abandon.

Origin of abandon

2
1815–25; < French, noun derivative of abandonner to abandon1

Definition for abandon (3 of 3)

à l'abandon
[ a la-bahn-dawn ]
/ a la bɑ̃ˈdɔ̃ /

adverb French.

carelessly; recklessly.

Origin of à l'abandon

literally, with abandon

Example sentences from the Web for abandon

British Dictionary definitions for abandon

abandon
/ (əˈbændən) /

verb (tr)

noun

freedom from inhibitions, restraint, concern, or worry she danced with abandon

Derived forms of abandon

abandonment, noun

Word Origin for abandon

C14: abandounen (vb), from Old French, from a bandon under one's control, in one's power, from a at, to + bandon control, power