renitent

[ ri-nahyt-nt, ren-i-tuhnt ]

adjective

1. resisting pressure; resistant.
2. persistently opposing; recalcitrant.

renitent

/ rɪˈnaɪtənt; ˈrɛnɪtənt /

adjective

1. reluctant; recalcitrant
2. not flexible

Derived Forms

• reˈnitence, noun

Other Words From

• re·niten·cy re·nitence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of renitent¹

1695–1705; < Latin renītent- (stem of renītēns ), present participle of renītī to resist, equivalent to re- re- + nīt ( ī ) to strive, make an effort + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of renitent¹

C18: from Latin renītī to strive afresh, from re- + nītī to endeavour