[ad. L. abaliēnātion-em, n. of action, f. abaliēnā-re: see prec.]
1. ‘The act of giving up one’s right to another person; or a making over an estate, goods, or chattels by sale, or due course of law.’ J. (A technical use of the word to translate Abalienatio in Rom. Law.) Also fig.
1828. Kirby & Spence, Intr. to Ent., III. xxxii. 307. The most entire abalienation of shape already known is in female Coccus.
† 2. Removal or transference of feeling; estrangement. Obs.
1656. J. Trapp, Expos. Matt. vii. 1 (1868). The not giving vent to our hearts, by a wise and plain reproof, causeth abalienation of affection.
1683. S. Clark, Lives, S. Fairclough, 191. Neither difference of Opinion, nor distance of place, nor seldomness of Converse, nor any worldly respects, did cause the least ab-alienation from a person so unworth.
† 3. Loss or failure of the mental faculties. Obs.
1652. Gaule, Mag-astro-mancer, 90. When reason is most suspended, obscured, and debarred, as in sleeps, dreams, abalienations, distractions, etc.
1853. Mayne, Exp. Lex. Abalienation: A term formerly used for decay, either of the whole or part of the body; also for loss or failing of the senses or mental faculties, according to Scribonius Largus.
