\Re*cu"sant\ (-zat; 277), a.[L. recusans, -antis, p.
pr. of recure to refuse, to oject to; pref. re- re + causa a
cause, pretext: cf. F. r['e]cusant. See {Cause}, and cf.
{Ruse}.]
Obstinate in refusal; specifically, in English history,
refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in the
churc, or to conform to the established rites of the church;
as, a recusant lord.
      It stated him to have placed his son in the household
      of the Countess of Derby, a recusant papist. --Sir W.
                                               Scott.

\Re*cu"sant\, n.
1. One who is obstinate in refusal; one standing out
   stubbornly against general practice or opinion.
         The last rebellious recusants among the European
         family of nations.                    --De Quincey.
2. (Eng. Hist.) A person who refuses to acknowledge the
   supremacy of the king in matters of religion; as, a Roman
   Catholic recusant, who acknowledges the supremacy of the
   pope. --Brande & C.
3. One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a
   nonconformist.
         All that are recusants of holy rites. --Holyday.