dic-, dict-

That which can be discarded, renounced, or relinquished: "Gina's abdicable responsibilities had been an excessive burden for her; so, she had no regrets when she abdicated her position as manager of the two stores."

A term describing someone who has forsaken or has deserted his or her responsibility: "Roger Smith's abdicant behavior regarding his duties did not go well with his fellow administrators."

Anyone who abandons or renounces a position or responsibility: "The king became an abdicant when he gave up his throne so his son could take his place."

A descriptive term for a person who has given up a right, a trust, or an office; either voluntarily or under pressure: "The abdicate congressman resigned his position after his party urged him to leave when he finally admitted presenting himself inappropriately on an internet social-networking site."

1. To formally renounce, which is commonly done by a monarch of a throne; to vacate a throne, to relinquish, to abandon: "Edward VIII of England abdicated the throne so he could marry a commoner."

"A king who abdicates, renounces, or swears away his kingly privileges and duties."

2. To refuse to accept an obligation or responsibility: "When the author agreed to edit the book, she was abdicating her contract when she suddenly quit without notice."
3. To proclaim or declare to be no longer one's own, to disclaim, disown, cast off; especially, to disown or disinherit children: "Gary Brown abdicated his responsibilities as a husband and father and never returned to be with his wife and children."
4. To formally give up (a right, trust, office, or dignity); to renounce, to lay down, to surrender, to abandon; at first implying voluntary renunciation, but now including the idea of abandonment by default: "Governments, both national and local, seem to be abdicating their responsibilities to provide a good education to all of their citizens by greatly reducing the expenditures that are needed."

1. To formally give up a high office, a throne, or an authority; resignation: "The council denied that their decision represented any abdication of responsibility."
2. The action of formally renouncing, disowning, or casting off. Now only applied to the disowning of a son in Roman Law: "In choosing the abdication of his son as his successor, the landlord broke the line of succession of ownership."
3. Resignation, surrender, renunciation (generally): "Following the abdication of Joy Little's position as judge left her with a sense of relief."
4. Resignation or abandonment, either formal or virtual, of sovereignty or other high trust: "The abdication of Gerald Room's position as Chief Executive Officer surprised everyone."
5. Formal renunciation or relinquishment of the ownership of goods by an insurer to the underwriters; abandonment: "The insurance company determined that the abdication of ownership of the ship was the only way to cut their losses when the ship was wrecked."

"It seemed like a long summer of abdications; first the prince's abdication of the throne to marry the woman he loved, then we had the CEO's abdication of his position as head of the company."

1. Someone who gives up a high office, formally or officially; especially, a royal throne: "The duke, by giving up his title, was seen by many as an abdicator; but he was happy to retire to the country because since his younger brother also chose to abdicate his position, they were referred to as the 'Brother Abdicators'."
2. Anyone who fails to fulfill a duty or responsibility: "The manager of the store was an abdicator of his duties."

Punish slowly, do good quickly.

Motto of Henry I (918-936) who forced the dukes of Bavaria and Swabia to recognize his authority. He protected Saxony against the Slavs by building several fortresses and by creating a powerful cavalry which he used to defeat the invading Magyars on the Unstrut River in 933.

He succeeded in annexing the key Carolingian realm of Lorraine to the east Franconian realm. He is regarded as the actual founder of the German Empire.

1. In civil law, to adjudge or to condemn; to assign, to allot, or to deliver; to sell.

In Roman law, addico was one of the three words used to express the extent of civil jurisdiction of the praetors (ancient Roman magistrates acting as the chief law officers of the state).

2. To determine by a judge; to pass on and to decide judicially.

A person who is adjudged guilty is someone who has been convicted in court.

1. Attached by one’s own inclination, self-addicted to (a practice); devoted, given, inclined to.
2. To devote, give up, or apply habitually to a practice.
3. Formally made over or bound (to another); attached by restraint or obligation; obliged, bound, devoted, consecrated.
4. One who is addicted to the habitual and excessive use of a drug.

Why is it that drug addicts and computer enthusiasts are both called "users"?

• Internet access has become a vital part of the modern world and an important tool in the education of children.
• Like addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or caffeine, internet addiction is marked by symptoms of increasing tolerance, withdrawal, mood changes, and interruption of social relationships.
• Children and adolescents who have become addicted to the internet will require increasing amounts of time online in order to feel satisfied.
• When they do not have access to the internet, they may have symptoms of withdrawal, which include anxiety, depression, irritability, trembling hands, restlessness and obsessive thinking or fantasizing about the internet.
• Internet addiction is not limited just to introverted "computer-techies".
• The internet can provide a welcome escape for individuals who already suffer from a variety of psychological difficulties including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
• Additionally, those who have struggled with other types of addiction may more easily become obsessed with the internet.

To devote or give oneself habitually or compulsively to something; such as, caffeine or alcohol; but especially to narcotics: "Her previous novel dealt with her recovery from drug addiction."

An addict is a slave to his/her habit(s). The word comes from Latin addictus, which in Roman law meant a debtor was awarded as a slave to his creditor.

A specialist in the study and treatment of addictions.

The study and treatment of addictions.