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abdicate
transitive verb
1
: to cast off : discard
2
: to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally
intransitive verb
: to renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function
— ab·di·ca·ble
\-kə-bəl\
adjective
— ab·di·ca·tion
\ˌab-di-ˈkā-shən\
noun
— ab·di·ca·tor
\ˈab-di-ˌkā-tər\
noun synonyms abdicate
, renounce
, resign mean to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it. abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent <abdicated the throne>. renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end <renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner>. resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust <resigned from the board>.
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