1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 

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