Dictionary entry

Recalcitrant

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Re‐cal″ci‐trant (rē̍‐kăl″sĭ‐trant), a. [L. recalcitrans, p. pr. of recalcitrare to kick back; pref. re- re- + calcitrare to kick, fr. calx heel. Cf. Inculcate.] Kicking back; recalcitrating; hence, showing repugnance or opposition; refractory.