abdicate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to formally give up a position of power or responsibility, especially a throne

   The king decided to abdicate in favor of his son.

2. 2
   verb

   to fail to fulfill a duty or responsibility

   He chose to abdicate his parental responsibilities.

Simplified etymology

Abdicate entered English in the mid-16th century from Latin abdicare, “to renounce,” formed from ab-, “away” or “from,” and dicare, “to declare.” Its specific sense “give up sovereignty” is recorded from the early 18th century, while abdication had already appeared in late Middle English in the broader sense of giving something up.

From Latin ab- ('away') + dicare ('to proclaim, dedicate'), forming abdicare ('to disown, renounce'); via Old French abdiquer into Middle English abdicate ('to renounce a throne or office'), giving Modern English abdicate ('to formally renounce a position').

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External links

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