Abrogate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abrogated; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrogating.]
Etymology: [L. abrogatus, p. p. of abrogare; ab + rogare to ask, require, propose. See Rogation.]
1. To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of the maker or his successor; to repeal; -- applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of customs, etc. Let us see whether the New Testament abrogates what we so frequently see in the Old. South. Whose laws, like those of the Medes and Persian, they can not alter or abrogate. Burke.
2. To put an end to; to do away with. Shak.
Syn. -- To abolish; annul; do away; set aside; revoke; repeal; cancel; annihilate. See Abolish.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Abrogate, a.
Abrogated; abolished. [Obs.] Latimer.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for abrogate; he lists it under abolish, cancel.
Where he writes about it:
There we use repeal, abrogate, nullify, etc.: repeal by the enacting body, nullify by revolutionary proceedings; a later statute abrogates, without formally repealing, any earlier law with which it conflicts. — from abolish