Verb

ab|erkennen

to revoke, to strip of, to disallow

Dem Sportler wurde die Medaille aberkannt.

The athlete was stripped of the medal.

Das Gericht hat ihm die Vaterschaft aberkannt.

The court denied his paternity.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to strip sb. of sth. Dem Sportler wurde die Medaille aberkannt.

Synonyms: entziehen (to withdraw), entheben (to relieve of); Antonyms: anerkennen (to acknowledge), zusprechen (to award)

Separable verb: 'ab-' (away, off) + 'erkennen' (to recognize). It literally means to 'un-recognize' or take away a recognized status.

Imagine a judge saying 'I recognize this title... and now I take it 'ab' (away)!' It's a formal act of removal.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.