abdicate (v.) Look up abdicate at Dictionary.com
1540s, "to disown, disinherit (children)," from Latin abdicatus, past participle of abdicare "to disown, disavow, reject" (specifically abdicare magistratu "renounce office"), from ab- "away" (see ab-) + dicare "proclaim" (see diction). Meaning "divest oneself of office" first recorded 1610s. Related: Abdicated; abdicating.