recreance, recreancy, recreaunce

Eng. recrean (t); -ce, -cy.] The quality or state of being recreant; cowardice, mean-spiritedne . "For he is the bli of very recreaunce." Chaucer: The Lamentation of Mary Magdalen . *rec-re-an-dise, s. [O. Fr.] Recreancy, cow ardice. IMG:content-0301.png:[blocks in formation] 2. Craven, mean-spirited, cowardly; crying out for mercy. "If yet, not lost to all the sense of shame, The recreant warrior hear the voice of fame." Pope : Homer's Iliad , vi. 351. B. As subst.: One who yielded in combat, and cried craven; one who begged for mercy; hence, a cowardly, craven wretch. "You are all recreants, and dastards." - Shakesp .: Henry VI ., Pt . II ., iv. 8. rěc-rě-ant-lý, adv. [Eng. recreant; -ly.] In a recreant or cowardly manner; like a recreant or IMG:content-0302.png:[blocks in formation] Donne: Litany. B. In trans.: To take recreation. "They suppose the souls in purgatory have liberty to recreate."-L. Add is on: Present State of the Jews , p. 121. rěc-rě-ā-tion (1), *rec-re-a-ci-on, subst . [Fr., from Lat. recreationem , acc. of recreatio , from rec reatus , pa. par. of recreo to recreate; Sp. recrea -cion; Ital. recreazione .] [RECREATE.) The act of recreating, amusing, or refreshing the spirits or strength after toil, exertion, or study; amusement, pastime, diversion. "Rural recreations abroad, and books at home, are the innocent pleasures of a man who is early wise." -Dryden: Virgil; Eclogues. (Dedic.) anew; the state of being recreated. rěc-rě-á-tive, a . [ Fr.récréat if ; Sp.recreativo ; Ital. recreativo , ricreativo .] Tending to recreate, amuse, refresh, or divert; refreshing, re-animating, re-invigorating, diverting, amusing. "Let the music of them be recreative , and with some strange changes." -Bacon: E ays, No. xxxvii. Recreative Religionists, s . pl . Ecclesiol.: An a ociation formed in England in December, 1866, for giving popular scientific lectures on Sunday evenings, sacred music being performed at intervals. A prosecution which took place under the Sunday Act, 21 Geo. III., c. 49, failed of effect. The Recreative Religionists have for some years figured in the Registrar-General's returns of sects having registered places of worship. [ Sun day - lecture Society.] rěc-rě-ā-tive-lý, adv . [Eng. recreative; -ly .] In a recreative manner; so as to recreate; with recreation or diversion.