Recalcitrant \Re*cal"ci*trant\, a. [L. recalcitrans, p. pr. of recalcitrare to kick back; pref. re- re- + calcitrare to kick, fr. calx heel. Cf. {Inculcate}.] Kicking back; recalcitrating; hence, showing repugnance or opposition; refractory. web1913
recalcitrant adj 1: marked by stubborn resistance to and defiant of authority or guidance; "a recalcitrant teenager"; "everything revolves around a refractory individual genius" [syn: {refractory}] 2: marked by stubborn resistance to authority; "the University suspended the most recalcitrant demonstraters" wn