recusant
Noun · AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)
- someone who refuses to conform to established standards of conductSynonyms: nonconformistType of dissenter, dissidentKinds enfant terrible, beatnik, maverick, bohemian, heretic
Adjective (2)
- (of Catholics) refusing to attend services of the Church of EnglandSynonyms: dissentientOpposite orthodoxSimilar unorthodox
- refusing to submit to authority“the recusant electors … cooperated in electing a new Senate — Mary W.Williams”Opposite obedientSimilar disobedient
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. recusans, -antis, p. pr. of recure to refuse, to oject to; pref. re- re + causa a cause, pretext: cf. F. récusant. 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.
It stated him to have placed his son in the household of the Countess of Derby, a recusant papist.— Sir Walter Scott
1. One who is obstinate in refusal; one standing out stubbornly against general practice or opinion.
The last rebellious recusants among the European family of nations.— Thomas DeQuincey
2. English history 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. William Thos., and Cox, George William Brande
3. One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist.
All that are recusants of holy rites.— Barten Holyday
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54