The act by which an officer renounces the further exercise of his office and returns the same into the hands of those from whom he received it. In ecclesiastieal law. Resignation is where a parson, vicar, or the beneficed clergyman voluntarily gives up and surrenders his charge and preferment to those from whom he received the same. It is usually done by an Instrument attested by a notary. Phillim. Ecc. Law, 517. IA Scotch law. The return of a fee Into the hands of the superior. Bell. Resignation bond. A bond or other engagement in writing taken by a patron from the clergyman presented by him to a living, to resign the benefice at a future period. This is allowable in certain cases under St. 9 Geo. IV. c. 94, passed in 1S28. 2 Steph. Comm. 721.