potestas abstinendi

noun

potestas ab·​sti·​nen·​di

-ˌäbztəˈnen(ˌ)dē,

-ˌäpst-;

-ˌabztəˈnen(ˌ)dē,

-ˌdī

: the right granted by the praetorian law of ancient Rome to a necessary family heir to decline the inheritance

also : the power to exercise this right

called also beneficium abstinendi

Word History

Etymology

Latin, power of refusing

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