\Re*ni"tent\ (-tent), a. [L. renitens, -entis, p. pr. of renit to strive or struggle against, resist; pref. re- re- + niti to struggle or strive: cf. F. r['e]nitent.] 1. Resisting pressure or the effect of it; acting against impulse by elastic force. ``[Muscles] soft and yet renitent.'' --Ray. 2. Persistently opposed.