Main Entry:

ab·jure

Pronunciation:

\ab-ˈju̇r\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

ab·jured; ab·jur·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French abjurer, from Latin abjurare, from ab- + jurare to swear — more at jury

Date:

15th century

1 a: to renounce upon oath b: to reject solemnly2: to abstain from : avoid <abjure extravagance>

— ab·jur·er noun

synonyms abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean to withdraw one's word or professed belief. abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath <abjured the errors of his former faith>. renounce often equals abjure but may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown <renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting>. forswear may add to abjure an implication of perjury or betrayal <I cannot forswear my principles>. recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught <if they recant they will be spared>. retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation <the newspaper had to retract its allegations against the mayor>.