Definition of "recusancy" []

• Obstinate refusal or opposition. (noun)
• The state of being a recusant; nonconformity. (noun)

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• "The High Commission court now began to take cognisance of what was called recusancy, or the refusal to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy; it also encouraged informations against such as refrained from joining in the established worship; and numerous professors of the old religion, both ecclesiastics and laity, were summoned on one account or other before this tribunal."
• ""And wasn't it -- I've heard the story, but I'm a bit hazy about it -- wasn't it owing to your -- is 'recusancy' the word?"
• "The University of Hull in Britain, who keep archives related to the family, note that the Constables became one of the leading landowning families of Yorkshire in the 16th century but that their family wealth was compromised in the mid 17th century due to the recusancy fines they were subject to."