RECUSANCY Meaning and
Definition
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Recusancy is a term that originated in England during the 16th and 17th centuries, which refers to the act of refusing to comply with or conform to established religious practices or beliefs, particularly the Church of England. It specifically pertains to nonconformity and dissent from the religious doctrines or practices sanctioned by the government or the dominant religious institution of the time.
Primarily associated with the Catholic population, recusancy arose during the English Reformation when the Church of England became the official state religion, and adherence to its teachings became mandatory for all citizens. Recusants were those individuals who refused to acknowledge the authority of the Church of England and its liturgy and instead continued to practice Catholicism in secret. This act of defiance often led to severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, confiscation of property, and even death.
The term "recusancy" encompasses not only the refusal to conform to the Anglican Church but also the active support, protection, and affiliation with the Catholic Church. Many wealthy Catholic families, nobility, and intellectuals were associated with recusancy, contributing to the preservation of Catholicism in England despite the risks involved.
Over time, the usage of the term recusancy expanded to include any form of dissent from religious, political, or societal norms. Today, it is often used more broadly to describe the resistance or refusal to comply with established rules, expectations, or authorities.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for RECUSANCY
- eecusancy
- decusancy
- fecusancy
- tecusancy
- 5ecusancy
- 4ecusancy
- rwcusancy
- rscusancy
- rdcusancy
- rrcusancy
- r4cusancy
- r3cusancy
- rexusancy
- revusancy
- refusancy
- redusancy
- recysancy
- rechsancy
- recjsancy
Etymology of RECUSANCY
The word "recusancy" refers to the state of refusal or noncompliance with established authority or requirements, particularly with regards to religious matters. Its etymology can be traced back to the Latin term "recusare", which means "to refuse" or "to make an objection". The word was then borrowed into Middle French as "recuser", and later entered English as "recuse", which meant to refuse to accept or perform a duty, especially related to legal proceedings. Over time, the meaning of "recusancy" narrowed to specifically refer to the refusal of English Roman Catholics to attend services of the Church of England during the period of religious conflict in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Similar spelling words for RECUSANCY
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