renounce

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Renounced p. pr. & vb. n. Renouncing ] [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cast off or reject deliberately; to disown; to dismiss; to forswear. [ 1913 Webster ]

This world I do renounce, and in your sights
Shake patiently my great affliction off. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Card Playing) To disclaim having a card of (the suit led) by playing a card of another suit. [ 1913 Webster ]

To renounce probate (Law), to decline to act as the executor of a will. Mozley & W. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To cast off; disavow; disown; disclaim; deny; abjure; recant; abandon; forsake; quit; forego; resign; relinquish; give up; abdicate. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

From Thebes my birth I own; . . . since no disgrace
Can force me to renounce the honor of my race. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Either to die the death, or to abjure
Forever the society of man. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ease would recant
Vows made in pain, as violent and void. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To make renunciation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He of my sons who fails to make it good,
By one rebellious act renounces to my blood. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) To decline formally, as an executor or a person entitled to letters of administration, to take out probate or letters. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dryden died without a will, and his widow having renounced, his son Charles administered on June 10. W. D. Christie. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. renoncement. ] The act of disclaiming or rejecting; renunciation. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]