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Webster 1913 Edition


Disavow

Disˊa-vow′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Disavowed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Disavowing
.]
[F.
désavouer
; pref.
dés-
(L.
dis
-) +
avouer
to avow. See
Avow
, and cf.
Disavouch
.]
1.
To refuse strongly and solemnly to own or acknowledge; to deny responsibility for, approbation of, and the like; to disclaim; to disown;
as, he was charged with embezzlement, but he
disavows
the crime
.
A solemn promise made and
disavowed
.
Dryden.
2.
To deny; to show the contrary of; to disprove.
Yet can they never
Toss into air the freedom of my birth,
Or
disavow
my blood Plantagenet’s.
Ford.

Webster 1828 Edition


Disavow

DISAVOW

,
Verb.
T.
[dis and avow. See Vow.]
1.
To deny; to disown; to deny to be true, as a fact or charge respecting ones self; as, he was charged with embezzlement, but he disavows the fact. A man may disavow his name or signature; he may disavow a knowledge of a fact, or his concern in a transaction. Opposed to own or acknowledge.
2.
To deny; to disown; to reject.
3.
To dissent from; not to admit as true or justifiable; not to vindicate.
The Envoy disavowed some parts of the Presidents proclamation.