recusant

[rek-yuh-zuh nt, ri-kyoo-zuh nt] /ˈrɛk yə zənt, rɪˈkyu zənt/
adjective
1.
refusing to submit, comply, etc.
2.
obstinate in refusal.
3.
English History. refusing to attend services of the Church of England.
noun
4.
a person who is recusant.
5.
English History. a person, especially a Roman Catholic, who refused to attend the services of the Church of England.
Origin
1545-55; < Latin recūsant- (stem of recūsāns), present participle of recusāre to demur, object, equivalent to re- re- + -cūsāre, verbal derivative of causa cause; see -ant
Related forms
unrecusant, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for recusant

recusant

/ˈrɛkjʊzənt/
noun
1.
(in 16th to 18th century England) a Roman Catholic who did not attend the services of the Church of England, as was required by law
2.
any person who refuses to submit to authority
adjective
3.
(formerly, of Catholics) refusing to attend services of the Church of England
4.
refusing to submit to authority
Derived Forms
recusance, recusancy, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin recūsāns refusing, from recūsāre from re- + causārī to dispute, from causa a cause
Word Origin and History for recusant
adj.

"obstinate in refusal," 1550s, from Latin recusantem (nominative recusans) "refusing to obey," present participle of recusare "make an objection against; decline, refuse, reject; be reluctant to" (see recuse). The noun meaning "one obstinate in refusing" is from 1610s.