Rec"re*ant (-ant), a. [OF., cowardly, fr. recroire, recreire, to forsake, leave, tire, discourage, regard as conquered, LL. recredere se to declare one's self conquered in combat; hence, those are called recrediti or recreanti who are considered infamous; L. pref. re- again, back + credere to believe, to be of opinion; hence, originally, to disavow one's opinion. See Creed.]
1.
Crying for mercy, as a combatant in the trial by battle; yielding; cowardly; mean-spirited; craven.
"This
recreant knight."
Spenser.
2.
Apostate; false; unfaithful.
Who, for so many benefits received,
Turned recreant to God, ingrate and false.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
Rec"re*ant, n.
One who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, cowardly wretch.
Blackstone.
You are all recreants and dastards!
Shak.
© Webster 1913.