/ ˈæbdɪkeɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
to give up the position of being king or queen :
[ v ]
He abdicated in favour of his son.
[ vn ]
She was forced to abdicate the throne of Spain.
2.
[ vn ] abdicate responsibility / your responsibilities to fail or refuse to perform a duty
► ab·di·ca·tion / ˌæbdɪˈkeɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , C ]
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin abdicat- renounced, from the verb abdicare , from ab- away, from + dicare declare.