abjuration

American  

[ab-juh-rey-shuhn] / ˌæb dʒəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of abjuring.

2. renunciation upon oath.

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Other Word Forms

• nonabjuration noun

Etymology

Origin of abjuration

1505–15; < Medieval Latin abjūrātiōn- (stem of abjūrātiō ); see abjure, -ate ¹, -ion

Explanation

When you've given up your old ideas about something, or retracted a statement you made earlier, you can call it abjuration. Your conservative uncle might be frustrated at the abjuration of your former political opinions, especially if you become a progressive Democrat. Many people experience an abjuration of their religious beliefs, renouncing one faith for another or dropping religion from their lives altogether. When you abjure something, you give it up or renounce it. The Latin root is abiurare, "deny on oath."

Example Sentences

The National Covenant of 1637 was an amplification of the previous Confessions, containing in addition an abjuration of Episcopal Church-government, as the King's Confession did of Popery.

From Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromartie, Knight by Willcock, John

If only a semi-proof of the crime exists, or if appearances will not admit of the acquittal of the prisoner, he shall make an abjuration as being either violently or slightly suspected.

From The History of the Inquisition of Spain from the Time of its Establishment to the Reign of Ferdinand VII. by Llorente, Juan Antonio

Previous to suffering the penalty of his treason he made and signed a public abjuration, for the copy of which see Appendix E. Note 16.

From The Katipunan or The Rise and Fall of the Filipino Commune by St. Clair, Francis

Much to her merit, in the eyes of Gregory, arose from her abjuration of Arianism, and the patronage she extended to religious houses.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 95, August 23, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

This was not a strictly formal abjuration such as was customarily required of prisoners of the Inquisition, yet it might have sufficed.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles