Entity: ABJURE
Abjure means to formally renounce or retract, especially with solemnity or under oath. The word originates from Latin, meaning 'to swear away'. In the past, abjuring was a serious act of renouncing something under oath, sometimes with life-threatening consequences.
ABJURE
Etymology
Abjure comes from Latin 'jurare', meaning 'to swear', combined with the prefix 'ab-', meaning 'away'.
Definition
Abjure means to formally renounce or retract, especially with solemnity or under oath.
Historical Context
In the 15th and 16th centuries, abjuring was a matter of renouncing something under oath, often with serious consequences.
Cultural Significance
Today, abjuring is commonly used to abstain from various vices or to publicly declare a change in belief or behavior.
Related Concepts
Some synonyms of abjure include forswear, recant, renounce, and retract.
See Also
To renounce, repudiate, or retract, especially with formal solemnity; recant.