Etymology Dictionary

ABOLISH, to annul.  (F.,—L.)   Used by Hall, Henry VIII. an. 28, who has the unnecessary spelling abholish, just as abominate was also once written abhominate.—F. abolir; (for the ending -sh see remarks on Abash.)—Lat. abolere, to annul.   ¶ The etymology of abolere is not clear; Fick (ii. 47) compares it with Gk. ἀρόλλυναι, to destroy, thus making Lat. olere = Gk. ὄλλυναι, to destroy.  Mr. Wedgwood suggests that abolescere means to grow old, to perish, from the root al, to grow, for which see Fick, i. 499.   Benfey refers both ὄλλυναι and ὄρνυναι (as well as Lat. olere and oriri) to the same root as Skt. ri, to go, to rise, to hurt, &c.   See the various roots of the form ar in Fick, i. 19.   Der. abol-it-ion, abol-it-ion-ist.