Main Entry: re·cu·sant

Pronunciation: \-zənt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin recusant-, recusans, present participle of recusare to reject, oppose, from re- + causari to give a reason, from causa cause, reason

Date: circa 1553

1 : an English Roman Catholic of the time from about 1570 to 1791 who refused to attend services of the Church of England and thereby committed a statutory offense
2 : one who refuses to accept or obey established authority

— recusant adjective