Word of the Day

: June 22, 2010

abdicate

verb AB-dih-kayt

What It Means

1 : to cast off : discard

2 : to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally

3 : to renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function

abdicate in Context

The school board has been accused of abdicating its responsibilities by failing to provide sufficient oversight of the city's schools.

Did You Know?

Give it up. English includes many words for the process of throwing in the towel, especially for relinquishing a job or elected office. "Abdicate," a derivative of the prefix "ab-" (meaning "from," "away," or "off") and the Latin verb "dicare" (meaning to "proclaim"), has been used primarily for those who give up sovereign power or who evade a very serious responsibility (such as parental responsibility). "Renounce" is often used as a synonym of "abdicate," but it adds to that term the suggestion that an individual is giving up something as a sacrifice to achieve a far greater end. "Resign" is another option when you are describing a more matter-of-fact departure from a job, office, or trust.