abjure

One entry found for abjure.

Main Entry: ab·jure
Pronunciation: ab-'jur
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
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>.