definitions

renitent

[ ri-nahyt-nt, ren-i-tuh nt ]
/ rɪˈnaɪt nt, ˈrɛn ɪ tənt /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR renitent ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

resisting pressure; resistant.
persistently opposing; recalcitrant.

RELATED WORDS

contrary, defiant, disobedient, opposing, rebellious, resisting, resistive, unyielding

Nearby words

reni-, renifleur, reniform, renin, reniportal, renitent, renk, renminbi, rennes, rennet, rennie

Origin of renitent

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

Related forms

re·ni·ten·cy, re·ni·tence, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for renitent

renitent

/ (rɪˈnaɪtənt, ˈrɛnɪtənt) /

adjective rare

reluctant; recalcitrant
not flexible

Derived Forms

renitence or renitency, noun

Word Origin for renitent

C18: from Latin renītī to strive afresh, from re- + nītī to endeavour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012