For the times when you mean “stubborn” but want to imply something rather subtler. The sound of the word, from the undemanding stress on ‘cal’ to the sombre finality of the last ‘t’ gives the expression of someone who quietly, understatedly, is not going to budge. Stubborn? Not me! I’m being recalcitrant.
Liz






Easily, my favourite word. Wilfully disobedient. Describes my kids, my co workers, and me of course. And you can still confuse people with it……..