recalcitrant

Adjective
Synonyms: fractiousrefractory

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (2)

  1. stubbornly resistant to authority or control“a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness”“a refractory child”Synonyms: fractiousrefractory
  2. marked by stubborn resistance to authority“the University suspended the most recalcitrant demonstrators”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Recalcitrant \Re*cal"ci*trant\ (r[-e]*k[a^]l"s[i^]*trant), a. [L. recalcitrans, p. pr. of recalcitrare to kick back; pref. re- re- + calcitrare to kick, fr. calx heel. Cf. Inculcate.] Kicking back; recalcitrating; hence, showing repugnance or opposition; refractory. [1913 Webster]
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