Recreant

Part of speech: noun (n.)

One who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, cowardly wretch. Blackstone. You are all recreants and dastards! Shak.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

1. Crying for mercy, as a combatant in the trial by battle; yielding; cowardly; mean-spirited; craven. "This recreant knight." Spenser.

2. Apostate; false; unfaithful. Who, for so many benefits received, Turned recreant to God, ingrate and false. Milton.