Relinquish (-kwsh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Relinquished (-kwsht); p. pr. & vb. n. Relinquishing.]
Etymology: [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; forbResign.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for relinquish; he lists it under abandon, surrender.
Where he writes about it:
Relinquish commonly implies reluctance; the fainting hand relinquishes its grasp; the creditor relinquishes his claim. — from abandon