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Webster 1913 Edition
Recusant
Re-cu′sant
(-zat; 277)
, Adj.
[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 churc, or to conform to the established rites of the church;
as, a
. recusant
lordIt stated him to have placed his son in the household of the Countess of Derby, a
recusant
papist. Sir W. Scott.
Re-cu′sant
,Noun.
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. De Quincey.
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 popeBrande & C.
3.
One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist.
All that are
recusants
of holy rites. Holyday.
Webster 1828 Edition
Recusant
RECU'SANT
,Adj.
Refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the king, or to conform to the established rites of the church; as a recusant lord.
RECU'SANT
,Noun.
1.
In English history, a person who refuses to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in matters of religion; as a popish recusant, who acknowledges the supremacy of the pope.2.
One who refuses communion with the church of England; a non-conformist.All that are recusants of holy rites.
Definition 2024
recusant
recusant
See also: récusant
English
Noun
recusant (plural recusants)
- (historical) Someone refusing to attend Church of England services, between the sixteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
- Anyone refusing to submit to authority or regulation.
Synonyms
Related terms
Adjective
recusant
- pertaining to a recusant or to recusancy