re·cal·ci·trant (r -k l s-tr nt)adj. Marked by stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority or guidance. See Synonyms at unruly. n. A recalcitrant person. [Late Latin recalcitr  ns, recalcitrant-, present participle of recalcitrre, to be disobedient, from Latin, to deny access : re-, re- + calcitrre, to kick (from calx, calc-, heel).]re·cal ci·trance, re·calci·tran·cy n. |
recalcitrant [rɪˈkælsɪtrənt]
adj
not susceptible to control or authority; refractory
n
a recalcitrant person
[via French from Latin recalcitrāre, from re- + calcitrāre to kick, from calx heel]
recalcitrance n
recalcitrant - Comes from Latin recalcitrare, "kick out with the heels," from calx, "heel."
See also related terms for heels.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | recalcitrant - stubbornly resistant to authority or control; "a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness"; "a refractory child" disobedient - not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority; "disobedient children" |
| 2. | recalcitrant - marked by stubborn resistance to authority; "the University suspended the most recalcitrant demonstrators" defiant, noncompliant - boldly resisting authority or an opposing force; "brought up to be aggressive and defiant"; "a defiant attitude" |
recalcitrant
adjective disobedient, contrary, unwilling, defiant, stubborn, wayward, unruly, uncontrollable, intractable, wilful, obstinate, unmanageable, ungovernable, refractory, insubordinate, contumacious a recalcitrant child of an unhappy mother
obedient, compliant, amenable, submissive, docile
obedient, compliant, amenable, submissive, docile
Translations
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