Re*cu"sant [L. recusans, -antis, p.pr. of recure to refuse, to oject to; pref. re- re + causa a cause, pretext: cf. F. r'ecusant. 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 lord.
It stated him to have placed his son in the household of the Countess of Derby, a recusant papist.
Sir W. Scott.
© Webster 1913.
Re*cu"sant, n.
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.