unwilling to obey rules or follow instructions; difficult to control 不守规章的;不服从指挥的;桀骜不驯的;难以控制的 a recalcitrant child 无法管教的孩子 He was like a teacher encouraging a recalcitrant pupil. 他就像一个老师在鼓励一个倔强的学生。 One option is to threaten recalcitrant ministers with the sack. 一种选择是用解雇来威胁顽固的部长们。
Word Originmid 19th cent.: from Latin recalcitrant- ‘kicking out with the heels’, from the verb recalcitrare, based on calx, calc- ‘heel’.