ab•di•cateˈæb dɪˌkeɪt(v.)-cat•ed, -cat•ing.

1. (v.t.)to give up or renounce (authority, duties, a high office, etc.), esp. in a voluntary, public, or formal manner.

2. (v.i.)to renounce or relinquish a throne, office, right, power, claim, or responsibility, esp. in a formal manner.

Origin of abdicate:

1535–45; < L abdicātus, ptp. of abdicāre to renounce =ab-ab - +dicāre to indicate, consecrate (see dedicate )

ab′di•ca`tor(n.)