The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
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   2. To cast off or reject deliberately; to disown; to dismiss;
      to forswear.
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            This world I do renounce, and in your sights
            Shake patiently my great affliction off. --Shak.
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   3. (Card Playing) To disclaim having a card of (the suit led)
      by playing a card of another suit.
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   To renounce probate (Law), to decline to act as the
      executor of a will. --Mozley & W.
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   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.
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                From Thebes my birth I own; . . . since no
                disgrace
                Can force me to renounce the honor of my race.
                                                  --Dryden.
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                Either to die the death, or to abjure
                Forever the society of man.       --Shak.
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                Ease would recant
                Vows made in pain, as violent and void.
                                                  --Milton.
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