Renitent
/ˈrɛnɪtənt/noun
Resisting pressure, influence, or authority; not yielding.
Did you know?Renitent comes from Latin reniti, a verb used for physically pushing back as well as figuratively resisting pressure or opposition.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
renītī
“To struggle against, resist, or push back”
Classical Latin
Latin
re- + nītī
“Against or back + to strive, struggle, or exert oneself”
Late Latin
Latin
renitēns
“Resisting or striving against; present participle of renītī”
17th Century
English
renitent
“Resisting or opposed; adopted from Latin renitens”
Modern English
English
renitent
“Resistant, unyielding, or refusing to submit”