Re*nounce" (r?-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. -- 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Re*nounce", n. Card Playing
Act of renouncing.
© Webster 1913.