a. [ OF., cowardly, fr. recroire, recreire, to forsake, leave, tire, discourage, regard as conquered, LL. recredere se to declare one's self conquered in combat; hence, those are called recrediti or recreanti who are considered infamous; L. pref. re- again, back + credere to believe, to be of opinion; hence, originally, to disavow one's opinion. See Creed. ] 1. Crying for mercy, as a combatant in the trial by battle; yielding; cowardly; mean-spirited; craven. “This recreant knight.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Apostate; false; unfaithful. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who, for so many benefits received,
Turned recreant to God, ingrate and false. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, cowardly wretch. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

You are all recreants and dastards! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]