recuse

play

verb re·cuse \ri-ˈkyüz\

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

recusal

play \-ˈkyü-zəl\ noun

recuse was our Word of the Day on 02/22/2013. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of recuse from the Web

So Jeff Sessions takes the job, gets into the job, recuses himself.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Attacks Sessions, Still Doesn’t Know How the Justice Department Works," 20 July 2017
The Big Thinkers famously recused themselves from such mundanities.

— kim france, Daily Intelligencer, "Feminism Rocks," 30 June 2017
Members frequently have to recuse themselves because of professional or personal relationships with nominees.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Harford panel nominates seven for Circuit Court vacancy," 30 June 2017
Commissioners Arun Jain and Jeffrey McConnell recused themselves from Tuesday’s discussion to avoid conflicts of interest.

— sara cardine, La Cañada Valley Sun, "La Cañada city officials, residents take a close look at Flintridge Prep’s master plan proposal," 28 June 2017
After two other judges, Beth Myers and Thomas Heekin, recused themselves, Leslie Ghiz was selected.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Key decisions in the Ray Tensing retrial," 23 June 2017
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.

— jane m. von bergen, Philly.com, "Delco nurses rally outside Media courthouse," 21 June 2017
After Sessions recused himself from the investigation into possible links between Russia and the Trump campaign, control fell to Rosenstein.

— kayleigh roberts, Cosmopolitan, "Who Is Rod Rosenstein? 9 Things to Know About the Deputy Attorney General.," 20 June 2017
Councilman Billy O’Connell recused himself because of his business interests in the area.

— ben brazil, Daily Pilot, "Huntington Beach OKs firm to head environmental analysis of Magnolia Tank Farm redevelopment," 20 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1829

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Law Dictionary

recuse

play

transitive verb re·cuse \ri-ˈkyüz\

Legal 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