[rec.re.ant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. prp. of recroire to renounce one's cause in a trial by battle, fr. re- + croire to believe, fr. L credere--more at creed] (14c) 1: crying for mercy: cowardly
2: unfaithful to duty or allegiance
[2]recreant n (15c) 1: coward
2: apostate, deserter