WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Re*cu"sant (-zat; 277)
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. recusans, -antis, p.pr. of recure to refuse, to oject to; pref. re- re + causa a cause, pretext: cf. F. r?cusant. See Cause, and cf. Ruse.]
Definition : Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Re*cu"sant
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 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.)

Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913