Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Renounce?

\Re*nounce"\ (r[-e]*nouns"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Renounced} (-nounst"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Renouncing} (-noun"s?ng).] [F. renoncer, L. renuntiare to bring back word, announce, revoke, retract, renounce; pref. re- re- + nuntiare to announce, fr. nuncius, a messenger. See {Nuncio}, and cf. {Renunciation}.] 1. To declare against; to reject or decline formally; to refuse to own or acknowledge as belonging to one; to disclaim; as, to renounce a title to land or to a throne. 2. To cast off or reject deliberately; to disown; to dismiss; to forswear. This world I do renounce, and in your sights Shake patiently my great affliction off. --Shak. 3. (Card Playing) To disclaim having a card of (the suit led) by playing a card of another suit. {To renounce probate} (Law), to decline to act as the executor of a will. --Mozley & W. Syn: To cast off; disavow; disown; disclaim; deny; abjure; recant; abandon; forsake; quit; forego; resign; relinquish; give up; abdicate. Usage: {Renounce}, {Abjure}, {Recant}. -- To renounce is to make an affirmative declaration of abandonment. To abjure is to renounce with, or as with, the solemnity of an oath. To recant is to renounce or abjure some proposition previously affirmed and maintained. From Thebes my birth I own; . . . since no disgrace Can force me to renounce the honor of my race. --Dryden. Either to die the death, or to abjure Forever the society of man. --Shak. Ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void. --Milton.
\Re*nounce"\, v. i. 1. To make renunciation. [Obs.] He of my sons who fails to make it good, By one rebellious act renounces to my blood. --Dryden. 2. (Law) To decline formally, as an executor or a person entitled to letters of administration, to take out probate or letters. Dryden died without a will, and his widow having renounced, his son Charles administered on June 10. --W. D. Christie.
\Re*nounce"\, n. (Card Playing) Act of renouncing.