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renege. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
renege, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
renege in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
renege you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin renegō, from negō (“I deny”). Possibly influenced by renegotiate. Doublet of renay. See also renegade.
Pronunciation
Verb
renege (third-person singular simple present reneges, present participle reneging, simple past and past participle reneged)
- (intransitive) To break a promise or commitment; to go back on one's word.
2010, Dolly Freed, Possum Living, page 149:Previously I promised not to proselytize miserism, but now I want to renege a little on that promise. If your family income is anywhere near average, you can scrimp and save and cut back for maybe two to four years […]
2011 February 5, Michael Kevin Darling, “Tottenham 2 - 1 Bolton”, in BBC:Clattenburg awarded Spurs a penalty for the third time after a handball in the area but he reneged after realising that the linesman had flagged Crouch offside in the build-up.
- (intransitive) In a card game, to break one's commitment to follow suit when capable.
- (transitive, archaic) To deny; to renounce
c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :His captaines heart, / Which in the ſcuffles of great fights hath burſt / The Buckles on his breaſt, reneages all temper, / And is become the bellowes and the Fan / To coole a Gypſies Luſt.
1608, Josuah Sylvester, The Sepmaines of Du Bartas:All Europe high (all sorts of rights reneged) / Against the truth and thee unholy leagued.
Translations
break a promise or commitment
card games: fail to follow suit when capable
References
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