sur|ren´der|er

sur|ren|der «suh REHN duhr», verb, noun.

–v.t.

1. to give up (something) to the possession or power of another; yield (to): »

to surrender a town to the enemy, to surrender an office or privilege.

SYNONYM(S): relinquish.

2. Figurative. a) to give up or abandon (as hope, joy, or comfort): »

As the storm increased, the men on the raft surrendered all hope.

b) to give (oneself or itself) up to a dominating thing or influence: »

He surrendered himself to bitter grief.

3. Obsolete. to give back or return (thanks, etc.).

–v.i.

to yield to the power of another; submit: »

The captain had to surrender to the enemy.

–n.

1. the act of surrendering; the giving up of something or of oneself into the possession or power of another: »

The surrender of the soldiers saved them from being killed.

2. Insurance. the abandonment of an insurance policy by the party insured, in return for a sum of money (surrender value), the amount payable depending upon the amount of the premiums paid.

3. Law. the deed by which an estate, lease, or other holding or right is legally surrendered.

╂[< Anglo-French surrender, Old French surrendre < sur- over, sur-¹ + rendre. Compare etym. under render. (Cf. ↑render)]

–sur|ren´der|er, noun.