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 solemnly
2 : 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>.