recuse

[ ri-kyooz ]

verb (used with object),re·cused, re·cus·ing.
  1. to reject or challenge (a judge, juror, or attorney) as disqualified to act in a particular case, especially because of potential conflict of interest or bias.

  2. to disqualify or withdraw (oneself or another person) from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid the appearance of personal interest or bias: The senator has recused himself from the vote because of his prior association with the company.

verb (used without object),re·cused, re·cus·ing.
  1. to withdraw from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid a semblance of personal interest or bias.

Origin of recuse

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English recusen, from Middle French recuser, and from Latin recūsāre “to demur, object”; see recusant

Other words from recuse

  • re·cu·sal, noun
  • rec·u·sa·tion [rek-yoo-zey-shuhn], /ˌrɛk yʊˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for recuse

recuse

/ (rəˈkjuːz, rɪˈkjuːz) /


verbUS, Canadian and Southern African
  1. (tr; reflexive) to remove from participation in a court case due to potential prejudice or partiality

Origin of recuse

1
C19: see recusant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012