- 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 Today, the word is often used metaphorically, as in “abjuring unhealthy habits” or “abjuring outdated traditions.”
(adjective) Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; stealthy or secretive.
She cast a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting.
Late Middle English: from Latin “surreptitius,” from “surripere” meaning “to take away secretly,” from “sub-” (secretly) + “rapere” (to seize).