recusant

[ rek-yuh-zuhnt, ri-kyoo-zuhnt ]

adjective

1. refusing to submit, comply, etc.
2. obstinate in refusal.
3. English History. refusing to attend services of the Church of England.

noun

1. a person who is recusant.
2. English History. a person, especially a Roman Catholic, who refused to attend the services of the Church of England.

recusant

/ ˈrɛkjʊzənt /

noun

1. (in 16th to 18th century England) a Roman Catholic who did not attend the services of the Church of England, as was required by law
2. any person who refuses to submit to authority

adjective

1. (formerly, of Catholics) refusing to attend services of the Church of England
2. refusing to submit to authority

Derived Forms

• ˈrecusance, noun

Other Words From

• unrecu·sant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recusant¹

1545–55; < Latin recūsant- (stem of recūsāns ), present participle of recusāre to demur, object, equivalent to re- re- + -cūsāre, verbal derivative of causa cause; -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of recusant¹

C16: from Latin recūsāns refusing, from recūsāre from re- + causārī to dispute, from causa a cause

Example Sentences

Catholic recusants secretly practiced their faith; Jesuits roamed the country incognito; and zealots didn’t shrink from terrorist acts.

From Washington Post

But his parents in England had been “recusants,” Catholics who refused to attend the Protestant Anglican Church, as required by law after the Reformation.

From Washington Post

Given the obstacles that President Obama has had to overcome-racism, republicans, right wingers, radical Muslims, the rich, recusants and Romney he deserves a higher rating.

From New York Times

Philips, an English recusant, settled in Brussels and knew Brueghel and Rubens well, his music celebrated in artistic circles as an engine of the Counter-Reformation.

From The Guardian

Unlike one fellow resident, who doesn't step outside once in three months, Francis will not be a recusant.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• adverse
• antithetical
• conflicting
• contradictory
• discordant
• hostile
• inconsistent
• inimical
• negative
• opposed
• paradoxical
• wrongheaded