Definition of abolish

exculpate Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt. Petersons.com

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< aboil

abolition >

a·bol·ish    (-blsh) KEY  

TRANSITIVE VERB:
a·bol·ished , a·bol·ish·ing , a·bol·ish·es

1. To do away with; annul.
2. To destroy completely.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English abolisshen, from Old French abolir , aboliss-, from Latin abolre; see al- ² in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
a·bolish·a·ble (Adjective), a·bolish·er (Noun), a·bolish·ment (Noun)

SYNONYMS:
abolish , exterminate , extinguish , extirpate , eradicate , obliterate

These verbs mean to get rid of: voted to abolish the tax; exterminated the cockroaches in the house; criticism that extinguished my enthusiasm; policies that attempt to extirpate drug abuse; scientists working to eradicate deadly diseases; a magnet that obliterated the data on the floppy disk.

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