'Recusant' definitions:

Definition of 'recusant'

From: WordNet
adjective
(of Catholics) refusing to attend services of the Church of England [syn: dissentient, recusant]
adjective
Refusing to submit to authority; "the recusant electors...cooperated in electing a new Senate"- Mary W.Williams
noun
Someone who refuses to conform to established standards of conduct [syn: nonconformist, recusant] [ant: conformist]

Definition of 'Recusant'

From: GCIDE
  • Recusant \Re*cu"sant\ (-zat; 277), a.[L. recusans, -antis, p. pr. of recure to refuse, to oject to; pref. re- re + causa a cause, pretext: cf. F. r['e]cusant. See Cause, and cf. Ruse.] Obstinate in refusal; specifically, in English history, refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in the church, or to conform to the established rites of the church; as, a recusant lord. [1913 Webster]
  • It stated him to have placed his son in the household of the Countess of Derby, a recusant papist. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Recusant'

From: GCIDE
  • Recusant \Re*cu"sant\, n.
  • 1. One who is obstinate in refusal; one standing out stubbornly against general practice or opinion. [1913 Webster]
  • The last rebellious recusants among the European family of nations. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Eng. Hist.) A person who refuses to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in matters of religion; as, a Roman Catholic recusant, who acknowledges the supremacy of the pope. --Brande & C. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist. [1913 Webster]
  • All that are recusants of holy rites. --Holyday. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'recusant'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Recusant'