I. -nt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin recusant-, recusans, present participle of recusare to object to, refuse, from re- + -cusare (from causari to give a reason, plead, from causa cause, reason) — more at cause
1.
a. : a person (as a Roman Catholic) refusing to attend the services of the Church of England
b. : one that dissents : nonconformist
a secular recusant who favored what he called the liberal divinities of Greece — R.L.Cook
2. : one who refuses to comply with some regulation or to conform to some general practice or opinion
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin recusant-, recusans refusing
1. : refusing to attend the services of the Church of England
2. : refusing to submit to authority : dissentient
the recusant electors returned … and cooperated in electing a new Senate — Mary W. Williams