Renounced Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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renounced

[rษชหˆnaสŠnst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

formal declaration

To renounce something means to formally declare one's abandonment of it. This can refer to an action, belief, claim, or title. When someone renounces a position or commitment, they are making an official statement that they no longer support it or consider it valid. This term is often used in legal contexts, as well as in discussions about personal beliefs or affiliations. Renouncing can carry significant consequences, especially in political or religious settings.

Synonyms

abandon, disavow, forsake, relinquish, renounce.

Examples of usage

  • She renounced her citizenship after moving abroad.
  • He renounced his former beliefs in favor of a new ideology.
  • The author renounced the previous version of his book.
  • After the scandal, the politician renounced his ties to the organization.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, many leaders have renounced their thrones, often as a way to avoid conflict or relinquish power.
  • Religious figures, like monks, often renounced worldly possessions to lead a life focused on spirituality.

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's works, characters often renounce their flaws or past decisions, leading to personal transformation.
  • Famous authors have explored renouncement in characters who turn away from society or previous beliefs for greater truths.

Philosophy

  • Stoic philosophers encourage the practice of renouncing desires for external possessions, emphasizing inner peace.
  • Buddhism teaches renouncement of attachment as a path to enlightenment, reflecting a deep philosophical understanding of suffering.

Pop Culture

  • Pop songs often feature themes of renouncement, such as breaking up and letting go of past relationships.
  • Movies frequently depict characters renouncing their old lives to embrace new adventures or identities.

Origin of 'renounced'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'renuntiare,' which means to 'announce' or 'proclaim.'
  • Renounced combines the prefix 're-' implying back or away, with 'nounce,' meaning to announce something previously accepted.

The word 'renounce' comes from the Latin 'renuntiare', which means 'to announce back' or 'to make known'. It is formed from the prefix 're-' meaning 'back' or 'again', and 'nuntiare', which means 'to announce'. The term has been in use in English since the late Middle Ages, where it indicated a formal act of giving up or rejecting something. Through the centuries, 'renounce' has evolved to encompass a variety of contexts, from legal and political to personal convictions and relationships. The concept has been particularly significant in discussions about religious and political commitments, reflecting a person's choice to dissociate from a path they once followed. This act often carries a weight of serious consequence or change in status, making it a powerful term in both personal and public domains.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,343, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.