Legal Definitions - recusant

Recusant (rek-yə-zənt or ri-kyoo-zənt) is an adjective used to describe someone who refuses to submit to an authority or comply with a command. For example, a recusant witness is someone who refuses to answer questions in court or provide information to the authorities.

In addition, recusant is also a noun that has a specific meaning in Ecclesiastical law. It refers to a person, especially a Roman Catholic, who refuses to attend the services of the established Church of England. However, the term can also be used more broadly to describe anyone who refuses to comply with an authority or command.

• After being subpoenaed to testify in court, the recusant witness refused to answer any questions.
• The recusant employee was fired for refusing to follow company policies.
• During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, many Catholics in England were considered recusants because they refused to attend Anglican services.

These examples illustrate how the term recusant can be used to describe someone who is defiant or disobedient towards an authority or command. Whether it's a witness in court, an employee at work, or a religious minority in a country, a recusant is someone who refuses to conform to the expectations of those in power.