— recalcitrance, recalcitrancy , n.
/ri kal"si treuhnt/ , adj.
1. resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.
2. hard to deal with, manage, or operate.
n.
3. a recalcitrant person.
[ 1835-45; recalcitrant- (s. of recalcitrans, prp. of recalcitrare to kick back), equiv. to re- RE- + calcitr ( are ) to strike with the heels, kick (deriv. of calx heel) + -ant- -ANT ]
Syn. 1. resistant, rebellious, opposed. See unruly .