I. rə̇ˈvōk, rēˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English revoken, from Middle French revoquer, from Latin revocare, from re- + vocare to call — more at voice
transitive verb
1. : to bring or call back: as
a. obsolete : restrain , check , prevent
b. : to call or summon back
c. : to call back to mind or memory
d. obsolete : to restore to use or operation : revive
2. : to annul by recalling or taking back (as something granted by a special act) : rescind , cancel , repeal
revoke a will
revoke a privilege
3. obsolete : withdraw: as
a. : recant , retract
b. : to take back : reassume , recover
c. : to draw back
intransitive verb
1. : to make revocation
2. : to fail to follow suit when able in a card game in violation of the rule of the game : renege
Synonyms:
reverse , repeal , rescind , recall : revoke indicates an annulling or abrogating, especially of something given or assigned, with formality or not
revoke a license
revoke a grant
his power of attorney … has never been revoked — Hamilton Basso
reverse may be a close synonym for revoke , especially in indicating decision directly opposed to that previously made; it is often used of a higher agency or instrumentality acting on a lower
the plate umpire reversing his decision after conferring with the others
the superior court reversing the decision of the lower court
repeal is likely to be used in reference to formal abrogation by constituted authority
the legislature repealed the unpopular law the next year
the eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed — U.S. Constitution
rescind applies to abolishing, abrogating, or making void, sometimes with suggestions of summary or definitive procedure
one body of customs after another was swept away; ordinances were overhauled or rescinded — F.A.Ogg & Harold Zink
the legislature refused to function until martial law was rescinded — Current Biography
recall in this sense indicates a calling back, suspending, or abrogating, either finally as erroneous or ill-advised or tentatively for deliberation
would have done anything to recall the word, as soon as it was out of his mouth — Margaret Kennedy
recall a bridge bid
recall a stringent edict
II. noun
( -s )
1. : annulling , cancellation ; also : recall
2. : an act or instance of revoking in a card game