Rebellion \Re*bel"lion\, n. [F. r['e]bellion, L. rebellio. See Rebel, v. t. 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 resistances 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 resistances to, or defiance of, lawful authority.

Commission of rebellion (Eng. Law), a process of contempt on the nonappearance of a defendant, -- now abolished. --Wharton. --Burrill.

Syn: Insurrection; sedition; revolt; mutiny; resistance; contumacy. See Insurrection.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)