resign
UK[rɪˈzaɪn]US[rɪˈzaɪn]
v
To formally announce that you are leaving your job, position, or membership.
v
To accept that something unpleasant must happen and that you cannot change it.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
sign
re
again, back
sign
to mark, to seal
Etymology
The verb "resign" entered English in the late 14th century from Old French resigner, which itself descended from Latin resignare, meaning "to cancel, annul, give back, unseal." The literal Latin construction is transparent: re- ("back") + signare ("to mark or seal"). Thus, the original action was one of "unsealing" or formally "signing back" an agreement or office, thereby relinquishing a claim. Over time, the sense of physically breaking a seal faded, and the focus shifted to the formal act of giving up a position by signing a document. The meaning of passive acceptance developed later, emerging from the idea of "yielding" or "handing over" one's will to circumstances.
Analysis
Structure: re (again, back) + sign (to mark, to seal)
- re: A prefix from Latin, meaning "again" or "back." In this word, it conveys the sense of "back."
- sign: From Latin signare ("to mark, seal, indicate"), derived from signum ("mark, token, indication"). It functions as the core root meaning "to affix a signature or seal."
Examples
She decided to resign from the board after ten years of service.
He had to resign himself to the fact that the project had failed.
The minister was forced to resign amid the growing scandal.