RELINQUISH

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does relinquish mean? 

• RELINQUISH (verb)
  The verb RELINQUISH has 4 senses:

1. part with a possession or right

2. do without or cease to hold or adhere to

3. turn away from; give up

4. release, as from one's grip

  Familiarity information: RELINQUISH used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RELINQUISH (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they relinquish    ... he / she / it relinquishes   
Past simple: relinquished   
Past participle: relinquished   
-ing form: relinquishing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Part with a possession or right

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

free; give up; release; relinquish; resign

Context example:

resign a claim to the throne

Hypernyms (to "relinquish" is one way to...):

give; hand; pass; pass on; reach; turn over (place into the hands or custody of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "relinquish"):

derequisition (release from government control)

give; sacrifice (endure the loss of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something to somebody

Derivation:

relinquishing (the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc.)

relinquishment (a verbal act of renouncing a claim or right or position etc.)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Do without or cease to hold or adhere to

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

dispense with; forego; foreswear; forgo; relinquish; waive

Context example:

relinquish the old ideas

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "relinquish"):

give up; kick (stop consuming)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Turn away from; give up

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

foreswear; quit; relinquish; renounce

Context example:

I am foreswearing women forever

Hypernyms (to "relinquish" is one way to...):

abandon; give up (give up with the intent of never claiming again)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "relinquish"):

disclaim (renounce a legal claim or title to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

relinquishing (a verbal act of renouncing a claim or right or position etc.)

relinquishment (the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc.)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Release, as from one's grip

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

let go; let go of; release; relinquish

Context example:

relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't fall

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "relinquish"):

discharge; muster out (release from military service)

unclasp (release from a clasp)

pop (release suddenly)

toggle (release by a toggle switch)

unhand (remove the hand from)

bring out; let out (bring out of a specific state)

unleash (release or vent)

let loose; loose; unleash (turn loose or free from restraint)

unleash (release from a leash)

disengage; withdraw (release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

relinquishment (the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc.)

 Context examples 

I went to Canterbury first, that I might take leave of Agnes and Mr. Wickfield (my old room in whose house I had not yet relinquished), and also of the good Doctor.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The Clifton scheme had been deferred, not relinquished, and on the afternoon's Crescent of this day, it was brought forward again.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Wolf Larsen nodded approval and relinquished the wheel to me.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It was an alliance which he could not have relinquished without pain; and thus he reasoned.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

“If he were Admiral Hawke he shall pay his score,” cried Silver; and then, relinquishing my hand, “Who did you say he was?” he asked.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

He relinquished the endeavour, folded his arms, and stood quiet and mute in the rain, now falling fast on his uncovered head.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Anne knew that Lady Russell must be suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot, and be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with, and do justice to Captain Wentworth.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Her victory was announced by an unusual tranquillity and gladness of soul which followed the relinquishing of my ancient and latterly tormenting studies.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

When little Vladimir finally relinquished her, with assurances that he was 'desolated to leave so early', she was ready to rest, and see how her recreant knight had borne his punishment.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Elinor tried very seriously to convince him that there was no likelihood of her marrying Colonel Brandon; but it was an expectation of too much pleasure to himself to be relinquished, and he was really resolved on seeking an intimacy with that gentleman, and promoting the marriage by every possible attention.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)