Renounce

v. t. [imp. & p. p. RENOUNCED (re-nounced); p. pr. & vb. n. RENOUNCING.] [Fr. renoncer, Pr. renonciar, renunciar, Sp. & Pg. renunciar, It. renunziare, rinunziare, Lat. renunciare, from re, again, back, and nuntiare, to announce. See NUNCIATURE.]

1Sense 1. To declare against; to reject, as a title or claim; to refuse to own or acknowledge as belonging to; to disclaim; as, to renounce a title to land or a claim to reward; to renounce all pretensions to applause.

2Sense 2. To cast off or reject, as a connection or possession; to give up; to forsake.

This world I do renounce, and in your sight Shake patiently my great affliction off. Shak.

Synonyms—To cast off; disavow; disown; disclaim; deny; abjure; recant; abandon; forsake; quit; forego; resign; relinquish; give up; abdicate.—RENOUNCE, ABJURE, RECANT. We renounce when we make it publicly known that we give up a thing finally and forever; as, to renounce one's claims; to renounce a profession; to renounce the world. We abjure when we renounce in the most solemn manner; as, to abjure one's faith, allegiance, &c. We recant when we openly and formally disavow some principle we had previously maintained, and adopt the contrary one.

From Thebes my birth I own; and no disgrace Can force me to renounce the honor of my race. Dryden.

Either to die the death, or to abjure For ever the society of man. Shak.

How soon would ease recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void! Milton.

v. i. 1. To declare a renunciation. [Obs.]

He of my sons who fails to make it good, By one rebellious act renounces to my blood. Dryden.

2Sense 2. (Card-playing.) To fail or neglect to follow suit, when one has a card of the same sort.