abjuration

ABJURA'TION, n. [See Abjure.]

1. The act of abjuring; a renunciation upon oath; as "an abjuration of the realm," by which a person swears to leave the country, and never to return. It is used also for the oath of renunciation. Formerly in England, felons, taking refuge in a church, and confessing their guilt, could not be arrested and tried, but might save their lives by abjuring the realm; that is by taking an oath to quit the kingdom forever.

2. A rejection or denial with solemnity; a total abandonment; as "an abjuration of heresy."