abdicate

[ ab-di-keyt ]
/ ˈæb dɪˌkeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR abdicate ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of abdicate

1535–45; < Latin abdicātus renounced (past participle of abdicāre), equivalent to ab- ab- + dicātus proclaimed ( dic- (see dictum) + -ātus -ate1)

OTHER WORDS FROM abdicate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abdicate

abdicate abrogate arrogate derogate

Words nearby abdicate

abd., abdelkader, abderhalden, abdias, abdicant, abdicate, abdication, abdom., abdomen, abdomin-, abdominal

Words related to abdicate

relinquish, vacate, forgo, renounce, quit, retire, waive, cede, drop, resign, leave, abjure, yield, withdraw, abnegate, abandon, surrender, demit, quitclaim

Example sentences from the Web for abdicate

British Dictionary definitions for abdicate

abdicate
/ (ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt) /

verb

to renounce (a throne, power, responsibility, rights, etc), esp formally

Derived forms of abdicate

abdicable (ˈæbdɪkəbəl), adjective abdication, noun abdicative (æbˈdɪkətɪv), adjective abdicator, noun

Word Origin for abdicate

C16: from the past participle of Latin abdicāre to proclaim away, disclaim