Recuse
/rɪˈkjuːz/noun
To remove or disqualify oneself from a legal case because of a conflict of interest.
Did you know?Recuse entered English through law French and ultimately Latin, where its ancestor carried the sense of “to shake off” or “refuse,” a reminder that legal language often began as physical, forceful action.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
recūsāre
“to decline, reject, or refuse”
Old French
Old French
recuser
“to challenge or object to”
14th Century
Middle English
recusen
“to challenge the impartiality or competence of a judge”
Modern English
English
recuse
“to withdraw from participation in a case because of bias or conflict of interest”