- Today's Word
Abjure
ab-JOOR (or ab-JYUR)
Definition
- (verb) To formally renounce, reject, or give up a belief, claim, or practice, often under oath.
Example
After years of conflict, the leader abjured violence and committed to a peaceful resolution.
Fun Fact
“Abjure” comes from the Latin abjurare, meaning “to swear away.” Historically, it was often used in legal and religious contexts, where individuals would publicly renounce their previous beliefs or allegiances. One famous example is Galileo, who was forced to abjure his support of heliocentrism before the Catholic Church. Today, the word is often used metaphorically, as in “abjuring unhealthy habits” or “abjuring outdated traditions.”
(noun) Wickedness or depravity, especially of a kind considered morally base or shameful.
The immigration officer cited moral turpitude as the grounds for denial — a legal category so broad it had swallowed everything from fraud to jaywalking depending on the decade.