Category:Recreant

Rec"re*ant (-ant), a. Etym: [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.

Recreant Rec"re*ant, n.

Defn: one who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, Cowardly wretch. Blackstone. You are all recreants and dastards! Shak.