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Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Recusant

/(-zat; 277)/ · Re·cu·sant · IPA /ˈɹɛkjʊzənt/
01 a. Obstinate in refusal; specifically, in English history, refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in the churc, or to conform to th…
  1. 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.
02 n. One who is obstinate in refusal; one standing out stubbornly against general practice or opinion.
  1. 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. 2.
    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.(Eng. Hist.)
  3. 3.
    One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist.
    “All that are recusants of holy rites.” — Holyday.