Definition of surrender

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sur·ren·der    (s-rndr) KEY 

VERB:
sur·ren·dered, sur·ren·der·ing, sur·ren·ders
VERB:
tr.

1. To relinquish possession or control of to another because of demand or compulsion.
2. To give up in favor of another.
3. To give up or give back (something that has been granted): surrender a contractual right.
4. To give up or abandon: surrender all hope.
5. To give over or resign (oneself) to something, as to an emotion: surrendered himself to grief.
6. Law To restore (an estate, for example), especially to give up (a lease) before expiration of the term.

VERB:
intr.

To give oneself up, as to an enemy.

NOUN:

1. The act or an instance of surrendering.
2. Law
   1. The delivery of a prisoner, fugitive from justice, or other principal in a suit into legal custody.
   2. The act of surrendering or of being surrendered to bail.
   3. Restoration of an estate.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English surrenderen, from Old French surrendre : sur-, sur- + rendre, to deliver ; see render

SYNONYMS:
surrender, submission, capitulation

These nouns denote the act of giving up one's person, one's possessions, or people under one's command to the authority, power, or control of another. Surrender is the most general: "No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted" (Ulysses S. Grant). Submission stresses the subordination of the side that has yielded: "Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission" (George Washington). Capitulation implies surrender under specific prearranged conditions: Lack of food and ammunition forced the capitulation of the rebels. See also Synonyms at relinquish.