abjuration
(ˌæbdʒ(j)ʊˈreɪʃən)
[ad. L. abjūrātiōn-em, n. of action f. abjūrā-re: see abjure.]
1. Renunciation on oath; forswearing (particularly of heretical opinions).
| 1514 Fitzherbert Justyce of Pea. (1538) 106 Yf any person hereafter arrayned..alledge..upon abjuracyon made..the issue shall be tried furthwith before the same justices. 1532 More Confut. of Barnes viii. Wks. 1557, 789/2 Now frere Barns in one of the articles which was layed agaynste hym at his abiurasion. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. 176 Iohn Hilton Priest, made a solemn Abjuration of his blasphemous heresies. 1661 E. Pagitt Heresiog. 106 The abjuration of certain Familists at Pauls Crosse. 1839 W. Irving Chron. Wolfert's Roost (1855) 129 To avoid the sneers and jests of the Parisian public, the ceremony of abjuration took place at Melun. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. II. 21 Prisoners who refused to abjure their errors, who persisted in heresy, or relapsed into it after abjuration, were sentenced to be burnt at the stake. |
2. fig. Solemn or formal renunciation or giving up of anything.
| 1669 Survey of Napthali ii. 113 An abjuration of part of the Churches Christian liberty. 1842 H. Rogers Introd. to Burke's Wks. 71 To demand an abjuration of all friendship with those who in any measure favoured it. |
3. An official repudiation upon oath of any principle ecclesiastical or political, as the supremacy of the pope, the claims of the house of Stuart.
Hence Oath of Abjuration, i.e. disclaiming any right to the crown of England on the part of descendants of the Pretender: imposed by 13 William III. c. 6; 1 Geo. I. c. 13; 6 Geo. III. c. 53: now superseded by a new form of the Oath of Allegiance.
| 1650 John Row (son) Hist. Kirk Scot. (1842) 540 Supposing that Episcopacie were indifferent in itselfe to be used or refused yet I am sworne against it, and my abjuration of it will be called a sin or a dutie. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. III. xvi. 558 That no person whatsoever might be admitted to the exercise of any Office or Function in the State or in the Church, who did not first take the Oath of Abjuration of the King, and of all his Family. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 15 An abjuration of some Doctrines of the Church of Rome. |
| 1708 Swift Sacram. Test. II. i. 137 Leading teachers in the north, who having refused the abjuration oath, yet continue their preaching. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 15 There is likewise another Oath of Abjuration, which Laymen and Clergymen are both oblig'd to take; and that is to abjure the Pretender. 1863 Cox Inst. of Eng. Gov. i. viii. 128 Three oaths were required to be taken by members of Parliament. These oaths were—the oath of allegiance, of supremacy, and abjuration. 1878 Lecky Eng. in 18th Cent. II. vii. 403 Who refused to take the abjuration oath. |
4. abjuration of the realm, a town, etc.: an oath taken to leave it for ever.
| 1592–3 Act 35 Eliz. cap. 1 Euery such offender..shall departe out of this Realme at such Hauen or Port..as shall be assigned and appointed by the sayd Justices before whom such abiuration shall be made. 1622 R. Callis Statute of Sewers (1647) 188 Butchers are to be abjured the Town, if they offend the fourth time in selling measled flesh; and this is a special Abjuration. 1691 Blount Law Dict., Abjuration, a forswearing or renouncing by Oath; a sworn banishment, or an Oath taken to forsake the Realm for ever. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 15 In the 8th of Edward II. an Abjuration is a Divorce between Husband and Wife. 1768 Blackstone Comm. IV. 370 Some punishments consist in exile or banishment, by abjuration of the realm, or transportation to the American colonies. |