relinquish

[ri-ling-kwish]

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verb (used with object)

to renounce or surrender (a possession, right, etc.): to relinquish the throne.
to give up; put aside or desist from: to relinquish a plan.
to let go; release: to relinquish one's hold.

Origin of relinquish

1425–75; late Middle English relinquissen, relinquisshen < Middle French relinquiss-, long stem of relinquir ≪ Latin relinquere to leave behind, equivalent to re- re- + linquere to leave (akin to lend)

Related formsre·lin·quish·er, nounre·lin·quish·ment, nounnon·re·lin·quish·ment, nounun·re·lin·quished, adjectiveun·re·lin·quish·ing, adjective

Synonyms for relinquish

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2. yield, cede, waive, forego, abdicate, leave, quit, forswear, desert, resign. See abandon¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for relinquishment

abandonment, self-denial, abstention, quitclaim, repeal, resignation, remission, veto, sacrifice, abjuration, renunciation, denial, rebuff, surrender, yielding, cancellation, abnegation, repudiation, waiver, disclaimer

Examples from the Web for relinquishment

Contemporary Examples of relinquishment

The rate of relinquishment for women of color has traditionally remained low.
Why Is the Mormon Church Getting Out of the Adoption Business?
Kathryn Joyce
June 23, 2014

Historical Examples of relinquishment

In return for the relinquishment Cullison had been released.
Crooked Trails and Straight
William MacLeod Raine
When he permits a driver to pass, there is a touch of the contemptuous in that relinquishment.
The Pacific Triangle
Sydney Greenbie
I understand that he purchased what is called a relinquishment.
The Homesteader
Oscar Micheaux
He could not only sell me a relinquishment, but could also take my filing.
The Conquest
Oscar Micheaux
With the relinquishment of responsibility, she appeared to grow almost cheerful.
The Builders
Ellen Glasgow

British Dictionary definitions for relinquishment

relinquish

verb (tr)

to give up (a task, struggle, etc); abandon
to surrender or renounce (a claim, right, etc)
to release; let go

Derived Formsrelinquisher, nounrelinquishment, noun

Word Origin for relinquish

C15: from French relinquir, from Latin relinquere to leave behind, from re- + linquere to leave

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for relinquishment

relinquish

mid-15c., "desert, abandon;" late 15c., "give up, desist," from Old French relinquiss-, present participle stem of relinquir (12c.), from Latin relinquere "leave behind, forsake, abandon, give up," from re- "back" (see re-) + linquere "to leave," from PIE *linkw-, from root *leikw- "to leave behind" (cf. Sanskrit reknas "inheritance, wealth," rinakti "leaves;" Greek leipein "to leave;" Gothic leihvan, Old English lænan "to lend;" Old High German lihan "to borrow;" Old Norse lan "loan"). Related: Relinquished; relinquishing.