What is "relinquishing"

Relinquish \Re*lin"quish\ (-kw?sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relinquished (-kw?sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Relinquishing.] [OF. relinquir, L. relinquere to leave behind; pref. re- re + linquere to leave. See Loan, and cf. Relic, Relict.]

1. To withdraw from; to leave behind; to desist from; to abandon; to quit; as, to relinquish a pursuit.

   We ought to relinquish such rites.
   --Hooker.

   They placed Irish tenants upon the lands relinquished by the English.
   --Sir J. Davies.

2. To give up; to renounce a claim to; resign; as, to relinquish a debt.

   Syn: To resign; leave; quit; forsake; abandon; desert; renounce; forb?ar; forego. See Resign.

vb. (present participle of relinquish English)

1. n. a verbal act of renouncing a claim or right or position etc. [syn: relinquishment]

2. the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc. [syn: relinquishment]