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Webster 1913 Edition


Recreant

Rec′re-ant

(-ant)
,
Adj.
[OF., cowardly, fr.
recroire
,
recreire
, to forsake, leave, tire, discourage, regard as conquered, LL.
recredere se
to declare one’s self conquered in combat; hence, those are called
recrediti
or
recreanti
who are considered infamous; L. pref.
re-
again, back +
credere
to believe, to be of opinion; hence, originally, to disavow one's opinion. See
Creed
.]
1.
Crying for mercy, as a combatant in the trial by battle; yielding; cowardly; mean-spirited; craven.
“This recreant knight.”
Spenser.
2.
Apostate; false; unfaithful.
Who, for so many benefits received,
Turned
recreant
to God, ingrate and false.
Milton.

Rec′re-ant

,
Noun.
One who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, cowardly wretch.
Blackstone.
You are all
recreants
and dastards!
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition


Recreant

REC'REANT

,
Adj.
[See Craven.]
1.
Crying for mercy, as a combatant in the trial by battle; yielding; hence, cowardly; mean spirited.
2.
Apostate; false.
Who for so many benefits receiv'd, turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and false.

REC'REANT

,
Noun.
One who yields in combat and cries craven; one who begs for mercy; hence, a mean spirited, cowardly wretch.

Definition 2024


récréant

récréant

See also: recreant and recréant

French

Verb

récréant

  1. present participle of récréer