Abdication

A renunciation; a putting away; a renunciation of the sovereignty by an incumbent thereof. James II. of England, Charles V. of Germany, and Christiana, Queen of Sweden, are said to have abdicated. When James II. of England left the the kingdom, the commons voted that he had abdicated the government, and that thereby the throne had become vacant. The house of lords preferred the word "deserted," but the commons thought it not comprehensive enough, for then the king might have the liberty of returning. Also applied to the renunciation or surrender of any office, and in this sense it has been distinguished from "resignation," the latter being the giving up of an office to the appointing power from whom it was received, or who has the power to fill the vacancy, while abdication is the renunciation of an office which was conferred by act of law.

See, however, 26 Barb. (N. Y.) 487.