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

 

© Webster 1913.


Rec"re*ant, n.

One who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, cowardly wretch.

Blackstone.

You are all recreants and dastards! Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.