Renegade \Ren"e*gade\ (r?n"?-g?d), n. [Sp. renegado, LL. renegatus, fr. renegare to deny; L. pref. re- re- + negare to deny. See Negation, and cf. Runagate.]

One faithless to principle or party. Specifically:
   (a) An apostate from Christianity or from any form of religious faith.

James justly regarded these renegades as the most serviceable tools that he could employ. --Macaulay.
   (b) One who deserts from a military or naval post; a deserter. --Arbuthnot.
   (c) A common vagabond; a worthless or wicked fellow.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)