abjure

[ ab-joor, -jur ]

verb (used with object)

, ab·jured, ab·jur·ing.

1. to renounce, repudiate, or retract, especially with formal solemnity; recant:

   to abjure one's errors.

2. to renounce or give up under oath; forswear:

   to abjure allegiance.

3. to avoid or shun.

abjure

/ əbˈdʒʊə /

verb

1. to renounce or retract, esp formally, solemnly, or under oath
2. to abstain from or reject

Derived Forms

• ˌabjuˈration, noun
• abˈjurer, noun

Other Words From

• ab·jura·tory adjective
• ab·jurer noun
• nonab·jura·tory adjective
• unab·jura·tory adjective
• unab·jured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abjure¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin abjūrāre to deny on oath, equivalent to ab- ab- + jūrāre to swear; jury ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of abjure¹

C15: from Old French abjurer or Latin abjurāre to deny on oath

Example Sentences

The four young men of Navarre, who form a “Seinfeld”-like pact to abjure the company of women for three years, break it almost instantly when a delegation of four visiting gentlewomen arrives from France to resolve a diplomatic issue.

From New York Times

McWilliams writes that Patrick Henry — the Virginia-born Founding Father who famously uttered "Give me liberty, or give me death!" — criticized Jefferson's preoccupation with French cuisine to be "effete affectation that made him 'abjure his native victuals.'"

From Salon

If there was an abiding theme across X’s work and life, it was the attempt to subvert a fixed self, choosing to cycle through artistic personas and abjure her personal history.

From New York Times

Thus many find it fashionable to abjure party labels, insisting they vote “for the man” or “the woman,” as the case may be, independent of any partisan considerations.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, there’s a straightforward case for socially conscious people like you to accept rather than abjure the perquisites of your pedigree: As citizens of Italy, you’ll have more of a say when it comes to pushing for a fairer overall approach to immigration there.

From New York Times