Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Rebellion
Re-bel′lion
(rē̍-bĕl′yŭn)
, Noun.
[F. 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.]
rébellion
, L. rebellio
. See Rebel
, Verb.
I.
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
. Webster 1828 Edition
Rebellion
REBEL'LION
,Noun.
1.
An open and avowed renunciation of the authority of the government to which one owes allegiance; or the taking of arms traitorously to resist the authority of lawful government; revolt. Rebellion differs from insurrection and from mutiny. Insurrection may be a rising in opposition to a particular act or law, without a design to renounce wholly all subjection to the government. Insurrection may be, but is not necessarily, rebellion. Mutiny is an insurrection of soldiers or seamen against the authority of their officers.No sooner is the standard of rebellion displayed, than men of desperate principles resort to it.
2.
Open resistance to lawful authority.Commission of rebellion, in law, a commission awarded against a person who treats the king's authority with contempt, in not obeying his proclamation according to his allegiance, and refusing to attend his sovereign when required; in which case, four commissioners are ordered to attach him wherever he may be found.