Revokes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To formally take back or cancel a previously granted right or permission
2. To officially cancel or take back a previously given authorization or approval
3. To rescind or annul a decision, entitlement, or consent that was granted before

Etymology: "Revokes" is the third-person singular form of "revoke," so the history belongs to the verb itself. That verb came into English from Middle French "révoquer," which took it from Latin "revocare," meaning "to call back." The Latin word is built from "re-," meaning "back" or "again," and "vocare," meaning "to call," the same root that gives English "vocal" and "vocation." The Latin sense of calling something back shows clearly in the English word. To revoke a permission is to call it back from the person who was granted it. English also has "revocate," a doublet that entered the language by a separate route from the same Latin source, though it is now rare.

Synonyms: cancels, annuls, rescinds

Antonyms: grants, approves