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repudiate definition

re·pu·di·ate (ri pyo̵̅o̅dē āt′)

transitive verb repudiated -·at′ed, repudiating -·at′·ing

  1. to refuse to have anything to do with; disown or cast off publicly
    1. to refuse to accept or support; deny the validity or authority of (a belief, a treaty, etc.)
    2. to deny the truth of (a charge, etc.)
  2. to refuse to acknowledge or pay (a debt or obligation): said esp. of a government

Etymology: < L repudiatus, pp. of repudiare, to put away, divorce < repudium, separation, a divorce < re-, away, back + base of pudere, to feel shame

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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