Definition of "abdicate"

abdicate

/ˈæb.dɪˌkeɪt/

verb
third-person singular simple present abdicates, present participle abdicating, simple past and past participle abdicated
1. (transitive, obsolete) To disclaim and expel from the family, as a father his child; to disown; to disinherit.
2. (transitive, reflexive, obsolete) To formally separate oneself from or to divest oneself of.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To depose.
4. (transitive, obsolete) To reject; to cast off; to discard.
  Quotations
  [W]e were legally call'd by his Majeſties writ to give our Attendance in Parliament, […] if we did not, we ſhould betray the Truſt committed to us by his Majeſtie, and ſhamefully betray and abdicate the due right both of our ſelves and Succeſſours.
  1647 June 8 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Hall, “Bishop Hall’s Hard Measure”, in The Shaking of the Olive-Tree. The Remaining Works of that Incomparable Prelate Joseph Hall, D.D. […], London: […] J. Cadwel for J[ohn] Crooke, […], published 1660, page 48
5. (transitive) To surrender, renounce or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station, dignity; to fail to fulfill responsibility for.
  Quotations
  The cross-bearers abdicated their service.
  1776, Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Strahan; and T[homas] Cadell, […]
  He abdicates all right to be his own governor.
  1790 November, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, and on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London Relative to that Event. […], London: […] J[ames] Dodsley, […]
  The understanding abdicates its functions.
  1856, James Anthony Froude, History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth
  Although the 1970s ushered in a culture of relative moral freedom, the courts refused to abdicate their role of custodians of public morality.
  2022, Janet Loveless, Mischa Allen, Caroline Derry, chapter 12, in Complete Criminal Law, 8th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 12.2.5, page 649
6. (intransitive) To relinquish or renounce a throne, or other high office or dignity; to renounce sovereignty.
  Quotations
  Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy.
  1790 November, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, and on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London Relative to that Event. […], London: […] J[ames] Dodsley, […]

Definition of "abdicate"

abdicate

verb

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations