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.