ab·di·cate 
(ăbdĭ-kāt′)
(ăbdĭ-kāt′)v. ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing, ab·di·cates
v.tr.
To relinquish (power or responsibility) formally.
v.intr.
To relinquish formally a high office or responsibility.
[Latin abdicāre, abdicāt-, to disclaim : ab-, away; see AB-1 + dicāre, to proclaim; see deik- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
abdi·ca·ble (-kə-bəl) adj.
ab′di·cation n.
abdi·ca′tor n.