Re*cu"sant (-zat; 277), a.[L.
recusans, -antis, p. pr. of recure to refuse, to
oject to; pref. re- re + causa a cause, pretext: cf. F.
récusant. 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.
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.
