English Reference

Word

abjuration

Phoneticsab·ju·ra·tion

Definition

n. a formal statement where you give up a belief or a habit. It is a serious way to say you no longer want to be part of a group or practice.

n. the formal renunciation of a belief, practice, or allegiance. Often involves a public or legal declaration of abandonment.

Examples

“The former leader made a public abjuration of his old political views.”

“After years of practice, the athlete made an abjuration of her sport to focus on her family life.”

“The treaty required a formal abjuration of all previous hostilities, effectively ending the centuries-long conflict between the two nations.”

Examples

simple

“The former leader made a public abjuration of his old political views.”

contextual

“After years of practice, the athlete made an abjuration of her sport to focus on her family life.”

complex

“The treaty required a formal abjuration of all previous hostilities, effectively ending the centuries-long conflict between the two nations.”

Etymology

First attested around 1439. From Middle English abjuracioun, from Latin abiūrātiō (“forswearing, abjuration”), from ab (“from, away from”) + iūrō (“swear or take an oath”), from iūs (“law, right, duty”). Compare French abjuration.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Rare
Updated

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English Reference