Renunciate

Renunciate is a noun and verb in English that denotes a person who renounces worldly life, or the act of renouncing it. The term derives from Latin renunciare, meaning to deny or give up, and entered various languages through medieval and early modern religious discourse. In contemporary usage, renunciate is comparatively rare, with terms like renouncer or ascetic more commonly employed.

In religious and historical contexts, a renunciate refers to someone who deliberately withdraws from ordinary social obligations and possessions to pursue spiritual aims. This pattern appears across multiple traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and certain Christian orders. In these contexts, renunciates may take vows or adopt distinctive dress, live as hermits or within communal settings, and rely on alms or a minimal livelihood as part of their discipline.

Life and practices of renunciates typically emphasize simplicity, celibacy, and detachment from material wealth or social status. The aim is often inner development, contemplation, or service, rather than engagement in ordinary family or occupational roles. The exact expectations and structures vary by tradition, ranging from formal monastic ordination to more informal, itinerant renunciation.

In modern usage, renunciate can appear in scholarly writing on religion, anthropology, or spirituality, and occasionally in literary or descriptive prose. It is less common in everyday speech, where more specific terms such as monk, nun, sannyasi, or ascetic are usually preferred. Related concepts include renunciation, renouncer, and asceticism.