abnegation

American  

[ab-ni-gey-shuhn] / ˌæb nɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of abnegating, or denying oneself some rights, conveniences, etc..

   It was a time of austerity and abnegation.

2. the act of relinquishing or giving up a right, possession, etc..

   abnegation of parental responsibilities.

---

Etymology

Origin of abnegation

First recorded in 1350–1400, for an earlier sense; from Late Latin abnegation-, stem of abnegatio “denial,” equivalent to Latin abnegāt(us), past participle of abnegāre “to deny” + -iō -ion ( def. ); abnegate ( def. )

Example Sentences

The activists, however, see the fence and the proposed culling as an abnegation of the park service’s duty to protect the iconic species, which once numbered in the hundreds of thousands across Central California.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is an absolute abnegation of federal power.”

From Seattle Times

“A man of great courage, who has demonstrated his will to serve the country with a spirit of self-sacrifice and abnegation.”

From New York Times

Lawrence’s praise of “abnegation, renunciation, self-restraint,” Atkins sums up the allure to which they succumbed.

From Washington Post

It is a dereliction of duty and an abnegation of the basic responsibilities of good government, on a truly staggering scale.

From The Guardian