Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

Renounce \Re*nounce"\, v. i.
   1. To make renunciation. [Obs.]

            He of my sons who fails to make it good, By one
            rebellious act renounces to my blood. --Dryden.

   2. (Law) To decline formally, as an executor or a person
      entitled to letters of administration, to take out probate
      or letters.

            Dryden died without a will, and his widow having
            renounced, his son Charles administered on June 10.
                                                  --W. D.
                                                  Christie.

Renounce \Re*nounce"\, n. (Card Playing)
   Act of renouncing.

Source : WordNet®

renounce
     v 1: give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or
          duties and obligations; "The King abdicated when he
          married a divorcee" [syn: {abdicate}]
     2: leave (a job, post, post, or position) voluntarily; "She
        vacated the position when she got pregnant"; "The chairman
        resigned when he was found to have misappropriated funds"
        [syn: {vacate}, {resign}, {give up}]
     3: turn away from; give up; "I am foreswearing women forever"
        [syn: {foreswear}, {quit}, {relinquish}]
     4: cast off or disown; "She renounced her husband"; "The
        parents repudiated their son" [syn: {repudiate}]