Abnegate

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈæb.nɪ.É¡eɪt/, /ˈæb.ni.É¡eɪt/
• RP IPA: /ˈæb.nɪ.É¡eɪt/

Origin

First attested in 1657.

• Perhaps from Latin abnegō ("to refuse, reject") from ab ("away from") + negō ("to deny"),

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• Alternatively, perhaps a Back-formation from {{3}}

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Full definition of abnegate

Verb

1. (transitive) To deny (oneself something); to renounce or give up (a right, a power, a claim, a privilege, a convenience). First attested in the early 17^th century.
• 1898 December 10, Asbell v. State, reported in The Pacific Reporter, volume 55, page 339:To compel a state, upon theories of doubtful statutory interpretation, to appear as defendant suitor in its own courts, and to litigate with private parties as to whether it had abnegated its sovereignty of exemption, would be intolerable.
• 1875 January, Brownson's Quarterly Review, page 20:All ancient and modern histories of nations abnegate God.
2. (transitive) To relinquish; to surrender; to abjure. First attested in the mid 18^th century.

Derived terms

• abnegator

Related terms

• abnegation