different between abolish vs countermand

English

Etymology

From late Middle English abolisshen, from Middle French abolir, aboliss- (extended stem), from Latin abol?re (“to retard, check the growth of, (and by extension) destroy, abolish”), inchoative abol?scere (“to wither, vanish, (Classical) cease”), probably from ab (“from, away from”) + *ol?re (“to increase, grow”) which is found only in compound.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: ?-b?l'?sh IPA^(key): /??b?l??/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??b?l.??/, /??b?l.??/

Verb

abolish (third-person singular simple present abolishes, present participle abolishing, simple past and past participle abolished or (obsolete) abolisht)

1. To end a law, system, institution, custom or practice. [First attested from around 1350 to 1470.]
2. (archaic) To put an end to or destroy, as a physical object; to wipe out. [First attested from around 1350 to 1470.]

Conjugation

Synonyms

• (to end a law, system, institution, custom or practice): abrogate, annul, cancel, dissolve, nullify, repeal, revoke

Antonyms

• (to end a law, system, institution, custom or practice): establish, found

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

English

Etymology

From Old French contremander, from Medieval Latin contramand?, from contra + mand? (“I order; I command”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?ka?nt??m??nd/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?ka?nt??mænd/, /?ka?nt??mænd/

Verb

countermand (third-person singular simple present countermands, present participle countermanding, simple past and past participle countermanded) (transitive)

1. To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given.

   Synonyms: cancel, rescind

2. To recall a person or unit with such an order.
3. To prohibit.

   Synonyms: prohibit, forbid

   • 1672 Gideon Harvey, Morbus Anglicus, Or, The Anatomy of Consumptions

     Avicen countermands letting blood in choleric bodles.

4. To oppose; to revoke the command of.
   • 1594, Richard Hooker, Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie

     For us to alter anything, is to lift ourselves against God; and, as it were, to countermand him.

Translations

Noun

countermand (plural countermands)

1. An order to the contrary of a previous one.

Translations