▪ I. rebellion1
(rɪˈbɛljən)
Forms: 4–5 rebellyoun, 4–6 -ioun; 5 rebylione, -billion, -belyone, 5–6 rebellyon(e, 4– rebellion.
[a. F. rébellion (14th c.), ad. L. rebelliōn-em a renewal of war, revolt, rebellion, f. rebell-is rebel a.]
1. Organized armed resistance to the ruler or government of one's country; insurrection, revolt.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 425/1 Rebellyone, or vnbuxumnesse, rebellio. c 1460 Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. iii. (1885) 114 He wolde not sett any such charges..vppon the nobles for fere of rebillion. 1542–5 Brinklow Lament. (1874) 107 They teache sedycyon, & cause rebellyon agaynst the hygher powers. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, ii. iii. 109 In grosse Rebellion, and detested Treason. 1667 Milton P.L. xii. 36 He..from Rebellion shall derive his name, Though of Rebellion others he accuse. 1788 Gibbon Decl. & F. xlvi. (1869) II. 717 Every province of the empire was ripe for rebellion. 1857 Buckle Civiliz. I. xii. 686 There can be no doubt that rebellion is the last remedy against tyranny. |
b. With a and pl. An instance of this.
the Great Rebellion, the civil war of 1642–9 and the Commonwealth government of 1649–60. In Sc. Hist. the name of Rebellion is spec. applied to the risings of 1715 and 1745, and in U.S. Hist. to the Civil War of 1861–5.
| 1382 Wyclif 1 Kings xi. 27 The cause of the rebellioun aȝens hym. 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. 62 He was sent be Nero to Palestyn, for to withstand the rebellion of Iewis. 1511–2 Act 3 Hen. VIII, c. 17 §2 As..yf the same treasones rebellyones & oder mysdedes..hadde never be doone. 1602 Shakes. Ham. iv. v. 121 What is the cause..That thy Rebellion lookes so Gyant-like? 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. §1 To present to the world a full and clear narration of the grounds, circumstances, and artifices of this Rebellion. 1746 Ascanus 273 The Duke of Perth..had for some Time been suspected by the Government before the Rebellion broke out. 1838 Thirlwall Greece xiv. II. 198 His meditated expedition had been delayed by a rebellion which broke out at Babylon. 1861 Longfellow in Life (1891) II. 418 John Bull is not behaving well about this Rebellion. |
c. Law (now only Sc. Law). Disobedience to a legal summons or command; also ellipt., the fact of being regarded as a rebel on account of such disobedience.
| 1550 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 102 Under the pane of rebellioun. 1607 Cowell Interpr. s.v., Commission of rebellion..is otherwise called a writte of rebellion.., and it hath vse, when a man after proclamation..to present himselfe to the court by a certaine day, appeareth not. 1666–88 Dallas Stiles (1697) 289 All Goods, Gear,..that shall happen to fall..to him in any time coming during his Rebellion. 1720 T. Wood Inst. Laws Eng. iv. i. (1722) 463 If a Non est Inventus is Return'd, then an Attachment with Proclamation of Rebellion Goes against Him; and if He stands further out in Contempt, then a Commission of Rebellion may be issued. a 1768 Erskine Inst. Law Scot. ii. v. §61 All moveables belonging to the rebel [at] the time of his rebellion..fall under his single escheat, whether the rebellion proceeds on denunciation, or on conviction in a criminal trial. 1882 Watson Bell's Dict. Law Scot. s.v. |
2. Open or determined defiance of, or resistance to, any authority or controlling power.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter ix. 6 Þe swerdis of oure enmy ere þe rebellions of þe deuel. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 141 He was bounde by lawe..To pay his dymes, and for rebellioun I cursyd hym. 1552 Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884) 43 Without ony murmur rebellioun or contradictioun. 1595 Shakes. John iii. i. 289 Thy later vows, against thy first, Is in thy selfe rebellion to thy selfe. 1715 De Foe Fam. Instruct. i. iv. (1841) I. 92 Contempt of God, and rebellion against your parents. 1781 Cowper Hope 565 His aim was mischief,..His speech rebellion against common sense. 1885 E. Garrett (Mrs. Mayo) At any Cost xiii. 235 Perhaps some rebellion against his destiny accounts for his atheism. |
† b. Of ulcers: Obstinacy. Obs.—1
| 1541 R. Copland Galyen's Terap. 2 D iv, It happeneth that some vlceres and diseases are contumacy and rebellyon [sic] to heale. Howbeit indicacyon curatyfe is nat taken of this contumacy and rebellyon. |
† c. Opposition, variance. Obs. rare.
| 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 78 Now spere I..gif man suld have this rebellioun and contrarietee, ane agaynis ane othir, quhen thai ar of divers complexiouns? |
▪ II. † reˈbellion2 Obs.
[ad. late Lat. rebelliōn-em, f. as prec.]
A rebel.
| 1461 Paston Lett. II. 27 The seyd Stapylton, &c., makyn gret gaderyngs of the Kyngs rebelyones, lying in wayte to morder me. 1543 Grafton Contn. Harding 437 Anye manne beyng a traytoure or rebellion hertofore to hys grace. |