Renouncement Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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renouncement

[rษชหˆnaสŠnsmษ™nt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

formal declaration

Renouncement refers to the formal act of rejecting or giving up a claim, right, or belief. It is often used in legal or religious contexts to signify a voluntary relinquishment of something one formerly held or believed.

Synonyms

abandonment, disavowal, forsaking, rejection.

Examples of usage

  • His renouncement of his citizenship shocked everyone.
  • The priest's renouncement of worldly possessions was seen as an act of faith.
  • She made a renouncement of her former beliefs in the press conference.
  • The act of renouncement is sometimes necessary for personal growth.

Translations

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Origin of 'renouncement'

The word 'renouncement' derives from the Middle English term 'renounciement', which itself comes from the Old French 'renoncement', signifying 'to renounce' or 'to give up'. This Old French term is rooted in the Latin 'renuntiare', which means 'to report' or 'to announce'. The prefix 're-' in Latin indicates 'against' or 'back', while 'nuntiare' comes from 'nuntius', meaning 'messenger'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the idea of formally rejecting or disavowing something, and it gained popularity in legal and religious texts during the late Middle Ages. The concept of renouncement has been significant in various cultural and spiritual traditions, often symbolizing a profound commitment to a new path or belief system by departing from oneโ€™s previous allegiances.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,518, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.