Month: April 2021

abrogate (v.)

“abolish by authoritative act, repeal,” 1520s, from Latin abrogatus, past participle of abrogare “to annul, repeal (a law),” from ab “off, away from” (see ab-) + rogare “propose (a law), ask, request,” apparently a figurative use of a PIE verb meaning literally “to stretch out (the hand),” from root *reg- “move in a straight line.” Form abrogen, from Old French abroger, is recorded from early 15c. Related: Abrogated; abrogating; abrogative.

interregnum (n.)

1580s, from Latin interregnum “an interval between two reigns,” literally “between-reign,” from inter “between” (see inter-) + regnum “kingship, dominion, rule, realm,” related to regere “to rule, to direct, keep straight, guide” (from PIE root *reg- “move in a straight line,” with derivatives meaning “to direct in a straight line,” thus “to lead, rule”). In the republic, it meant a vacancy in the consulate. The earlier English noun was interreign (1530s), from French interrègne (14c.).