Rebel

n. [Fr. rebelle, It. ribelle, ribello, O. Sp. rebelle, rebele, N. Sp. rebelde, from Lat. rebellis, making war again, rebellious, from rebellare, to wage war again, to rebel. See REBEL, v. i.] One who rebels; one who revolts from the government to which he owes allegiance, either by openly renouncing the authority of that government, or by taking arms and openly opposing it; one who defies and seeks to overthrow the authority to which he is rightfully subject; a revolter; an insurgent. “A fool, contending rebel.” Shak.

Synonyms—Revolter; insurgent.—REBEL, INSURGENT. Insurgent marks an early, and rebel a more advanced, stage of opposition to government. The former rises up against his rulers, the latter makes war upon them. A French writer remarks that out of a hundred insurgents, not more than ten usually hold out and become confirmed rebels.

His voice like thunder will support her cause, Enforce her dictates, and sustain her laws; Rich with her spoils, his sanction will dismay, And bid the insurgents tremble and obey. Falconer.

Shall man from Nature’s sanction stray, A rebel to her rightful sway? Fenton.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. REBELLED; p. pr. & vb. n. REBELLING.] [Fr. rebeller, Pr. rebellar, revellar, Pg. rebellar, Sp. rebelar, It. ribellare, from Lat. rebellare, to make war again, from re, again, and bellare, to make war, bellum, war.] To revolt; to take up arms traitorously against the state or government; to renounce the authority of the laws and government to which one owes allegiance.

Ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord. Josh. xxii. 16.

How could my hand rebel against my heart? How could your heart rebel against your reason? Dryden.