Renuent
/rɪˈnjuːənt/noun
Refusing, rejecting, or expressing disapproval.
Did you know?Renuent comes from Latin renuere, “to nod back” or “nod in refusal,” showing how ancient gestures could become precise verbal symbols of consent or rejection.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*neu-
“To nod or make a signaling movement; the deeper reconstruction is somewhat uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
nuēre
“To nod, signal, or give assent by a gesture.”
Classical Latin
Latin
renuēre
“To nod back, reject, refuse, or decline.”
Classical Latin
Latin
renuēns
“Nodding in refusal; rejecting or disapproving.”
17th Century
English
renuent
“Refusing, rejecting, or showing disapproval; a learned borrowing from Latin.”
Modern English
English
renuent
“Rare and chiefly literary: refusing or disapproving.”