Recreant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
recreant
[หrekriษnt ]
Definitions
moral weakness
Recreant refers to someone who is cowardly or unfaithful to their obligations. It describes a person who fails to show courage in the face of danger or who betrays their loyalties.
Synonyms
cowardly, faithless, unfaithful.
Examples of usage
- He felt like a recreant for abandoning his friends in tough times.
- The recreant soldier fled the battlefield, leaving his comrades behind.
- Her recreant behavior during the conflict caused distrust among her peers.
traitorous person
As a noun, recreant refers to someone who is disloyal or betrays their allies or principles. It conveys a sense of contempt toward those who lack bravery or fidelity.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He was labeled a recreant for switching sides in the battle.
- The council deemed her a recreant for her betrayal.
- He met a recreant who turned his back on his own community.
Translations
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Origin of 'recreant'
The word 'recreant' originates from the Latin word 'recreans', which means 'to regenerate or revive'. Over time, it evolved into the Old French word 'recreant', which meant 'fleeing' or 'cowardly'. The use of the term reached the English language in the late 14th century, maintaining its connotation of cowardice and betrayal. Initially used primarily in a military context to describe those who abandoned their posts, 'recreant' has since broadened to encompass anyone who exhibits a lack of courage or loyalty in any situation. The word is relatively rare in modern usage but is often encountered in literary or historical texts.