Obrogate

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈɒbɹəɡeɪt/

Definitions

1. To formally invalidate or set aside a legal statute or agreement through the enactment of a new regulation
2. To annul a law or contract by enacting a newer one that takes precedence
3. To replace an existing legal rule or agreement by introducing a subsequent regulation

Etymology: Latin "obrogare" was a legal term in ancient Rome meaning to pass a law that modified or overrode an existing one, literally "to ask against" or "to propose against" (from "ob", "against", and "rogare", "to ask, propose"). The Romans voted on laws by being asked to accept or reject a proposal, so the verb naturally described one measure set against another. The English verb "obrogate" borrowed this Latin sense directly, so it keeps the technical flavour of Roman lawmaking: it does not mean simply abolishing a statute, but rather overriding or repealing it by a new enactment.