Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The act of abdicating; the giving up of an office, power or authority, right or trust, etc.; renunciation; especially, the laying down of a sovereignty hitherto inherent in the person or in the blood.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder; commonly the voluntary renunciation of sovereign power.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the act of abdicating
  • noun a formal resignation and renunciation of powers

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Probably a primary false note in this tragedy was his abdication from a prestigious New York law organisation given a white cabinet partial of insulted him.

    Archive 2009-11-01 admin 2009

  • Probably a primary false note in this tragedy was his abdication from a prestigious New York law organisation given a white cabinet partial of insulted him.

    Philadelphia Reflections: Shakspere Society of Philadelphia admin 2009

  • God's apparent abdication from the affairs of the world seemed unforgivable.

    Birthday 2005

  • God's apparent abdication from the affairs of the world seemed unforgivable.

    Birthday 2005

  • It called for freedom from Spain, a provisional Government and the ultimate formation of an independent "Empire of Mexico" with either King Ferdinand VII, who was considering abdication from the Spanish Throne, or some other member of the Spanish Royal family, heading a Constitutional Monarchy.

    Agustin Iturbide, unappreciated unknown 2003

  • It called for freedom from Spain, a provisional Government and the ultimate formation of an independent "Empire of Mexico" with either King Ferdinand VII, who was considering abdication from the Spanish Throne, or some other member of the Spanish Royal family, heading a Constitutional Monarchy.

    Agustin Iturbide, unappreciated unknown 2003

  • The word abdication conciliated politicians of a more timid school.

    The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 2 Thomas Babington Macaulay Macaulay 1829

  • Somers vindicated the use of the word abdication by quotations from Grotius and Brissonius, Spigelius and Bartolus.

    The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 2 Thomas Babington Macaulay Macaulay 1829

  • They hinted at the means of preserving it, but durst not pronounce the word abdication: so difficult it is to overcome the respect, that a great man inspires.

    Memoirs of the Private Life, Return, and Reign of Napoleon in 1815, Vol. II Pierre Alexandre ��douard Fleury de Chaboulon 1807

  • What else but a commitment to the long-term abdication of critical thinking could explain why millions of whites take so quickly to Rush Limbaugh: a guy whose motto for years was that he would "tell you what to think" and whose fans call themselves "ditto" heads (as in, "same as above," which is nearly the perfect metaphor for people who follow someone else like sheep).

    Clipmarks | Live Clips 2008

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