(n.) The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder; commonly the voluntary renunciation of sovereign power; as, abdication of the throne, government, power, authority.

abjuration abjurement cession demission deposal dropping out emeritus status forced resignation forswearing handing over relinquishment renouncement renunciation resignation retiral retirement superannuation surrender voluntary resignation waiver withdrawal withdrawing yielding