[syn: let go of, let go, release, relinquish]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Relinquish \Re*lin"quish\ (-kw?sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Relinquished (-kw?sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Relinquishing.]
[OF. relinquir, L. relinquere to leave behind; pref. re- re +
linquere to leave. See Loan, and cf. Relic, Relict.]
[1913 Webster]
1. To withdraw from; to leave behind; to desist from; to
abandon; to quit; as, to relinquish a pursuit.
[1913 Webster]
We ought to relinquish such rites. --Hooker.
[1913 Webster]
They placed Irish tenants upon the lands
relinquished by the English. --Sir J.
Davies.
[1913 Webster]
2. To give up; to renounce a claim to; resign; as, to
relinquish a debt.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To resign; leave; quit; forsake; abandon; desert;
renounce; forb?ar; forego. See Resign.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
relinquish
v 1: part with a possession or right; "I am relinquishing my
bedroom to the long-term house guest"; "resign a claim to
the throne" [syn: release, relinquish, resign,
free, give up]
2: do without or cease to hold or adhere to; "We are dispensing
with formalities"; "relinquish the old ideas" [syn: waive,
relinquish, forgo, forego, foreswear, dispense
with]
3: turn away from; give up; "I am foreswearing women forever"
[syn: foreswear, renounce, quit, relinquish]
4: release, as from one's grip; "Let go of the door handle,
please!"; "relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't fall"
[syn: let go of, let go, release, relinquish] [ant:
hold, take hold]