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Definition of recuse
recused
;recusing
transitive verb
: to disqualify (oneself) as judge in a particular case; broadly : to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest
From the M-W Editors
recuse was our Word of the Day on 02/22/2013. Hear the podcast!
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Recent Examples of recuse from the Web
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The Big Thinkers famously recused themselves from such mundanities.
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Members frequently have to recuse themselves because of professional or personal relationships with nominees.
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Commissioners Arun Jain and Jeffrey McConnell recused themselves from Tuesday’s discussion to avoid conflicts of interest.
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In court Wednesday, County Orphans’ Court President Judge Chad Kenney recused himself and was replaced by Judge Barry Dozor in the dispute between Crozer-Keystone and Prospect.
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Councilman Billy O’Connell recused himself because of his business interests in the area.
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Shanahan eventually recused herself and the case ended up with Ghiz.
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Trump meets with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the Russia investigation, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
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Rosenstein should have already recused himself from the Russia investigation given his role in establishing the flimsy pretext for James Comey’s firing.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recuse'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Recuse is derived from the Anglo-French word recuser, which comes from Latin recusare, meaning "to refuse." English speakers began using "recuse" with the meaning "to refuse or reject" in the 14th century. By the 17th century, the term had acquired the meaning "to challenge or object to (a judge)." The current legal use of "recuse" as a term specifically meaning "to disqualify (oneself) as a judge" didn't come into frequent use until the mid-20th century. Broader applications soon followed from this sense - you can now recuse yourself from such things as debates and decisions as well as court cases.
Origin and Etymology of recuse
Middle English, to refuse, reject, from Anglo-French recuser, from Latin recusare
Other Legal Terms
Law Dictionary
recuse
playLegal Definition of recuse
recused
recusing
1 : to challenge or object to (as a judge) as having prejudice or a conflict of interest
2 : to disqualify (as oneself or another judge or official) for a proceeding by a judicial act because of prejudice or conflict of interest an order recusing the district attorney from any proceeding may be appealed by the district attorney or the Attorney General — California Penal Code
recusement
nounOrigin and Etymology of recuse
Anglo-French recuser to refuse, from Middle French, from Latin recusare, from re- back + causari to give a reason, from causa cause, reason
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