English

Noun

disavowal ‎(plural disavowals)

1. A denial of knowledge, relationship, and/or responsibility towards something (or someone).
   • 1809 — James Madison, First State of the Union address

     Whatever pleas may be urged for a disavowal of engagements formed by diplomatic functionaries in cases where by the terms of the engagements a mutual ratification is reserved, or where notice at the time may have been given of a departure from instructions, or in extraordinary cases essentially violating the principles of equity, a disavowal could not have been apprehended in a case where no such notice or violation existed, where no such ratification was reserved, and more especially where, as is now in proof, an engagement to be executed without any such ratification was contemplated by the instructions given, and where it had with good faith been carried into immediate execution on the part of the United nations.

Related terms

• disavow
• disavowed

Translations