Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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}.]
   1. To withdraw from; to leave behind; to desist from; to
      abandon; to quit; as, to relinquish a pursuit.

            We ought to relinquish such rites.    --Hooker.

            They placed Irish tenants upon the lands
            relinquished by the English.          --Sir J.
                                                  Davies.

   2. To give up; to renounce a claim to; resign; as, to
      relinquish a debt.

   Syn: To resign; leave; quit; forsake; abandon; desert;
        renounce; forb?ar; forego. See {Resign}.

Source : WordNet®

relinquishing
     n 1: a verbal act of renouncing a claim or right or position etc.
          [syn: {relinquishment}]
     2: the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc.
        [syn: {relinquishment}]