Re*bel"lion (rē*bĕl"yŭn),
n. [F. rébellion, L. rebellio.
See Rebel, v. i. Among the Romans rebellion
was originally a revolt or open resistance to their government by
nations that had been subdued in war. It was a renewed war.]
1. The act of rebelling; open and avowed
renunciation of the authority of the government to which one owes
obedience, and resistance to its officers and laws, either by levying
war, or by aiding others to do so; an organized uprising of subjects
for the purpose of coercing or overthrowing their lawful ruler or
government by force; revolt; insurrection.
No sooner is the standard of rebellion displayed
than men of desperate principles resort to it.
Ames.
2. Open resistance to, or defiance of, lawful
authority.
Commission of rebellion (Eng. Law), a
process of contempt issued on the nonappearance of a defendant, -- now
abolished. Wharton. Burrill.
Syn. -- Insurrection; sedition; revolt; mutiny; resistance;
contumacy. See Insurrection.