[ad. L. abjūrātiōn-em, n. of action f. abjūrā-re: see ABJURE.]
1. Renunciation on oath; forswearing (particularly of heretical opinions).
1514. Fitzherbert, Justyce of Pea. (1538), 106. Yf any person hereafter arrayned … alledge … upon abjuracyon made … the issue shall be tried furthwith before the same justices.
1532. More, Confut. of Barnes, VIII. Wks. 1557, 789/2. Now frere Barns in one of the articles which was layed agaynste hym at his abiurasion.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. 176. Iohn Hilton Priest, made a solemn Abjuration of his blasphemous heresies.
1661. Pagitt, Heresiog., 106. The abjuration of certain Familists at Pauls Crosse.
1839. W. Irving, Chron. Wolfert’s Roost (1855), 129. To avoid the sneers and jests of the Parisian public, the ceremony of abjuration took place at Melun.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., II. 21. Prisoners who refused to abjure their errors, who persisted in heresy, or relapsed into it after abjuration, were sentenced to be burnt at the stake.
2. fig. Solemn or formal renunciation or giving up of anything.
1669. Survey of Napthali, II. 113. An abjuration of part of the Churches Christian liberty.
1842. H. Rogers, Introd. to Burke’s Wks., 71. To demand an abjuration of all friendship with those who in any measure favoured it.
3. An official repudiation upon oath of any principle ecclesiastical or political, as the supremacy of the pope, the claims of the house of Stuart.
1650. John Row (son), Hist. Kirk Scot. (1842), 540. Supposing that Episcopacie were indifferent in itselfe to be used or refused yet I am sworne against it, and my abjuration of it will be called a sin or a dutie.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., III. XVI. 558. That no person whatsoever might be admitted to the exercise of any Office or Function in the State or in the Church, who did not first take the Oath of Abjuration of the King, and of all his Family.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 15. An abjuration of some Doctrines of the Church of Rome.
Hence Oath of Abjuration, i.e., disclaiming any right to the crown of England on the part of descendants of the Pretender: imposed by 13 William III. c. 6; 1 Geo. I. c. 13; 6 Geo. III. c. 53; now superseded by a new form of the Oath of Allegiance.
1708. Swift, Sacram. Test., II. I. 137. Leading teachers in the north, who having refused the abjuration oath, yet continue their preaching.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 15. There is likewise another Oath of Abjuration, which Laymen and Clergymen are both oblig’d to take; and that is to abjure the Pretender.
1863. Cox, Inst. of Eng. Gov., I. viii. 128. Three oaths were required to be taken by members of Parliament. These oaths were—the oath of allegiance, of supremacy, and abjuration.
1878. Lecky, Eng. in 18th Cent., II. vii. 403. Who refused to take the abjuration oath.
4. Abjuration of the realm, a town, etc.: an oath taken to leave it for ever.
Act 35 Eliz. cap., 1. Euery such offender … shall departe out of this Realme at such Hauen or Port … as shall be assigned and appointed by the sayd Justices before whom such abiuration shall be made.
1622. R. Callis, Statute of Sewers (1647), 188. Butchers are to be abjured the Town, if they offend the fourth time in selling measled flesh; and this is a special Abjuration.
1691. Blount, Law Dict., Abjuration, a forswearing or renouncing by Oath; a sworn banishment, or an Oath taken to forsake the Realm for ever.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 15. In the 8th of Edward II. an Abjuration is a Divorce between Husband and Wife.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., IV. 370. Some punishments consist in exile or banishment, by abjuration of the realm, or transportation to the American colonies.
