Brewer's: Abrogate

When the Roman senate wanted a law to be passed, they asked the people to give their votes in its favour. The Latin for this is rogare legem (to solicit or propose a law). If they wanted a law repealed, they asked the people to vote against it; this was abrogare legem (to solicit against the law).

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language