What is "recusation"

Recusation \Rec`u*sa"tion\ (r?k`?*z?"sh?n), n. [L. recusatio: cf. F. r['e]cusation.]

1. Refusal. [Obs.]

2. (Old Law) The act of refusing a judge or challenging that he shall not try the cause, on account of his supposed partiality.
   --Blackstone.

n. 1 (context obsolete English) refusal 2 (context legal English) The act of disqualifying a judge or jury in a specific case on the grounds of possible partiality or prejudice.

1. n. (law) the disqualification of a judge or jury by reason of prejudice or conflict of interest; a judge can be recused by objections of either party or judges can disqualify themselves [syn: recusal]

2. (law) an objection grounded on the judge's relationship to one of the parties