recusant Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone who refuses to conform to established standards of conduct
    nonconformist.
  2. adjective satellite (of Catholics) refusing to attend services of the Church of England
    dissentient.
  3. adjective satellite refusing to submit to authority
    • the recusant electors...cooperated in electing a new Senate"- Mary W.Williams

WordNet

Re*cu"sant adjective
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  1. 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 lord.
    It 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
Definitions
  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 pope. Brande & C.
  3. One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist.
    All that are recusants of holy rites. Holyday.

Webster 1913