recusantnoun [ C ]
/ˈrek.jʊ.zənt//ˈrek.jʊ.zənt/specialized religion someone in the past who refused to go to Church of England services (= religious ceremonies):
Catholic recusants
Unlike many recusant families, the Talbots had managed to retain most of their landed estates.
formal someone who refuses to obey people who have authority:
political recusants