What is the origin of word renege?

The word "renege" has an interesting history. It's derived from the Old French word "renegat", which itself came from the Latin "renegatus", meaning "denied" or "repudiated".

Here's a breakdown of its evolution:

* Latin "renegare": This verb means "to deny, to renounce, to abjure".

* Latin "renegatus": This is the past participle of "renegare", meaning "denied", "repudiated", or "forsaken".

* Old French "renegat": This word took on the meaning of "apostate", "renegade", or "traitor".

* Middle English "renegate": This word entered English with the same meaning as the Old French term.

* Modern English "renege": This form of the word shifted from a noun to a verb, signifying "to break a promise or agreement", "to go back on one's word", or "to repudiate an obligation".

So, while "renege" might sound like a modern word, it actually has roots in ancient Latin and has undergone several transformations throughout its linguistic journey.