recusant
UK: ˈrɛkjʊz(ə)nt | US: ˈrɛkjəzənt
n. 1. A person who refuses to submit to authority or comply with regulations, especially in religious matters (historically, a Roman Catholic who refused to attend Anglican services).
adj. 2. Refusing to obey authority or conform to established norms.
recusant = re<against> + cus<accuse> + ant<noun/adjective suffix>
- re: Latin prefix meaning "against" or "back."
- cus: Derived from Latin causari (to accuse or dispute), linked to causa (cause, reason).
- ant: Suffix forming nouns/adjectives indicating a person or state (e.g., "defiant").
Etymology Origin:
The term emerged in 16th-century England to describe Catholics who refused (re-) to attend Protestant services, framing their resistance as a form of accusation (cus-) against the state-imposed religion. The suffix -ant solidified its use for individuals or traits of defiance. Over time, it broadened to secular contexts, retaining its core sense of resistance.
The recusant nobleman was fined for refusing to swear allegiance to the Crown.
Her recusant attitude toward corporate policies made her unpopular with management.
Historically, recusants faced persecution for their religious dissent.
The artist’s recusant style challenged traditional aesthetics.
He was labeled a recusant for rejecting the consensus during the debate.