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repudiate

 - 4 dictionary results

re⋅pu⋅di⋅ate

  [ri-pyoo-dee-eyt]
Use repudiate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
1. to reject as having no authority or binding force: to repudiate a claim.
2. to cast off or disown: to repudiate a son.
3. to reject with disapproval or condemnation: to repudiate a new doctrine.
4. to reject with denial: to repudiate a charge as untrue.
5. to refuse to acknowledge and pay (a debt), as a state, municipality, etc.
Origin:
1535–45; < L repudiātus (ptp. of repudiāre to reject, refuse), equiv. to repudi(um) a casting off, divorce (re- re- + pud(ere) to make ashamed, feel shame (see pudendum ) + -ium -ium ) + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
re⋅pu⋅di⋅a⋅ble, adjective
re⋅pu⋅di⋅a⋅tive, adjective
re⋅pu⋅di⋅a⋅tor, noun

Synonyms:
1. disavow, renounce, discard, disclaim. 3. condemn, disapprove.

Antonyms:
1. accept. 3. approve.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To repudiate
re·pu·di·ate   (rĭ-pyōō'dē-āt')   
tr.v.   re·pu·di·at·ed, re·pu·di·at·ing, re·pu·di·ates

  1. To reject the validity or authority of: "Chaucer . . . not only came to doubt the worth of his extraordinary body of work, but repudiated it" (Joyce Carol Oates).

  2. To reject emphatically as unfounded, untrue, or unjust: repudiated the accusation.

  3. To refuse to recognize or pay: repudiate a debt.

    1. To disown (a child, for example).

    2. To refuse to have any dealings with.


[Latin repudiāre, repudiāt-, from repudium, divorce.]
re·pu'di·a'tive adj., re·pu'di·a'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

repudiate 
1545, "to cast off by divorce," from adj. meaning "divorced, rejected, condemned" (1464), from L. repudiatus, pp. of repudiare "to divorce or reject," from repudium "divorce, rejection," from re- "back, away" + pudium, probably related to pes-/ped- "foot." The original notion may be of kicking something away, but folk etymology commonly connects it with pudere "cause shame to." Of opinions, conduct, etc., attested from 1824.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·pu·di·ate
Pronunciation: ri-'pyü-dE-"At
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -at·ed; -at·ing
: to disavow or reject an obligation (as a debt) or duty (as performance under a contract); specifically : to indicate an inability or unwillingness to perform as promised under (a contract) —re·pu·di·a·tor /-"A-t&r/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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