RENUNCIATION
renunciation (ri-n<<schwa>>n-see-ay-sh<<schwa>>n), n.1. The express or tacit
abandonment of a right without transferring it to another. 2.Wills & estates. The act of waiving a
right under a will. • At one time, one renounced an inheritance by intestacy and disclaimed a gift
by will. Today disclaim is common in both situations. — Also termed (in sense 2) disclaimer. See
RIGHT OF ELECTION. Cf. DISCLAIMER. [Cases: Descent and Distribution 72; Wills 717.
C.J.S. Descent and Distribution §§ 69, 77, 116; Wills§§ 1708–1710, 1713–1717.] 3.Criminal law.
Complete and voluntary abandonment of criminal purpose — sometimes coupled with an attempt
to thwart the activity’s success — before a crime is committed. • Renunciation can be an
affirmative defense to attempt, conspiracy, and the like. Model Penal Code § 5.01(4). — Also
termed withdrawal; abandonment. [Cases: Criminal Law 31.10. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 122,
136.] 4. See anticipatory repudiation under REPUDIATION. — renunciative, renunciatory,adj. —
renounce,vb. [Blacks Law 8th]