abdicant
-
1 one who gives up power (n.) C2 Proficiency Archaic Formal Lawsomeone who officially gives up a powerful position, such as a king or queen.
a person who formally renounces a throne, office, or other position of supreme authority.
ExampleThe former king lived a quiet life as an abdicant after leaving the throne.
ExampleHistory remembers him not as a conqueror, but as a weary abdicant who preferred the peace of the countryside to the burdens of the crown.
UsageThe noun is often used in historical or legal contexts regarding the transfer of power.
Teacher's tipThis word is extremely rare in modern English; students should use 'abdicator' or simply describe the person as 'the king who abdicated'.
-
2 giving up power (adj.) C2 Proficiency Archaic Formal Lawdescribing the act of giving up a high position or duty.
characterised by the act of abdicating or renouncing a formal office or right.
ExampleThe abdicant queen signed the papers to end her long rule.
ExampleThe council reviewed the abdicant decree, ensuring that all legal requirements for the transfer of sovereignty had been met.
UsageUsually appears before the noun it modifies.
Teacher's tipIn modern writing, the participle 'abdicating' is almost always preferred over this archaic adjective form.
From abdicate + -ant.