Resignation

Resignation, ^* The act of an officer by which he declines his office, and renounces the further right to use it. It differs from abdication. (q. v.)

2. As offices are held at the will of both parties, if the resignation of a officer be not accepted, he remains in office. 4 Dev. R. 1.

^* From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, 1856 Edition. Please see Bouvier's Legal Abbreviations & Abbreviated References for help with obscure nomenclature & references.