Abdication - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition abdication

Definition :

Abdication, where a magistrate or person in office voluntarily renounces or gives it up. It differs from resignation, in that resignation is made by one who has received his office from another and restores it into his hands 'as an inferior into the hands of a superior. On King James II.'s leaving this kingdom, and abdicating the crown, the Lords would have had the word 'desertion' made use of, but the Commons thought it was not comprehensive enough, for that the king might then have liberty of returning, and the Lords ultimately gave way: see Macaulay's Hist. of Eng., ch. X. Involuntary resignations are also termed abdications, as Napoleon's abdication at Fontainebleau. See 1 Edw. 8, c. 4.

Is the act of renouncing or abandoning privileges or duties, esp. those connected with high office, Black Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 3.