ˈrenəd.ənt, rə̇ˈnīt ə nt adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French rénitent from Latin renitent-, renitens, present participle of reniti to struggle against, from re- + niti to lean, push, strive — more at nisus
1. : resisting pressure or the effect of it : acting against impulse by elastic force
2. : resisting constraint or compulsion : persistently opposed : recalcitrant
the Italians … have a traditional way of being subtly and stubbornly renitent to any government — Eric Mettler