Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

recusancy

re.cu.san.cy \'rek-y*-z*n-se-, ri-'kyu:z-*n-\ \'rek-y*-z*nt, ri-'kyu:z-*nt\ 
   n [recusant, n., fr. L recusant-, recusans, prp. of recusare] to refuse, 
   fr. re- + causari to give a reason, fr. causa cause, reason : refusal to 
   accept or obey established authority; specif : the re fusal of Roman 
   Catholics to attend services of the Church of England constituting a 
   statutory offense from about 1570 till 1791 - re.cu.sant nor ;aj