Recusant /(-zat; 277)/

Re·cu·sant

Recusant

a.
  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.

Recusant

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.
  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. One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist.
    All that are recusants of holy rites.