[re.lin.quish] vt [ME relinquisshen, fr. MF relinquiss-, stem of relinquir, fr. L relinquere to leave behind, fr. re- + linquere to leave--more at loan] (15c) 1: to withdraw or retreat from: leave behind
2: give up "~ a title" 3 a: to stop holding physically: release "slowly ~ed his grip on the bar" b: to give over possession or control of: yield "few leaders willingly ~ power" -- re.lin.quish.ment n syn relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish usu. does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness "relinquished her crown". yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force "the troops yielded ground grudgingly". resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle "resigned her position". surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist "surrendered their claims". abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up "abandoned all hope". waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion "waived the right to a trial by jury".