zealatorhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealator_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezealator, n.
Revised 2018

zealatornoun

    1. 1.a.
      a1464–1918
      † A person who zealously promotes or furthers a cause, belief, etc.; a zealous defender or supporter of something. Obsolete (rare after 17th cent.).
      1. a1464
        Þat þe qween and þe prince schuld be receyued as good zelatoris of þe rem.
        J. Capgrave, Abbreuiacion of Cronicles (Cambridge MS. Gg.4.12) (1983) 152
      2. 1531
        Many zelatours or fauourers of the publyke weale.
        T. Elyot, Boke named Gouernour iii. xxv. sig. i ij
      3. c1550
        I praye ȝou to be zelaturs of the lau of gode.
        Complaynt of Scotland (1979) ix. 60
      4. 1600
        Al zelateurs of the trew seruice of God.
        J. Hamilton, Facile Traictise Ded. sig. ★3v
      5. 1684
        I apply'd my self to Jesus, as Zelator [French zelateur] of Souls.
        A. L., translation of J. de Bernières Louvigny, Interiour Christian iv. vi. 253
      6. 1834
        So was John [the baptist] a Zealator, a Corrector.
        Bible (Rheims) : New Testament (revised edition) (Mark ix. 13) 82/2 (note)
      7. 1895
        I present to them Jesus in His circumcision as a zelator for the law of God.
        J. Allen, Christian's Model vol. I. (ed. 2) 48
      8. 1918
        Who else but that abbat of canons..known as a zelator for discipline, can well have been the instigator..of the reform of his own canonical order?
        E. Bishop, Liturgica Historica xv. 342
    2. 1.b.
      1849–
      Chiefly Roman Catholic Church. A person in a religious community whose duty is to remind members of that community of their vows, encourage observance of monastic rule, and to admonish or report transgressions. Also in extended use.
      In extended use, chiefly after W. G. Palgrave (see quot. 1865) with reference to members of the religious police established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the mid 19th cent.; cf. mutawwa n.
      1. 1849
        He therefore made him zealator over all the seminarists, and..he never failed to accuse those who transgressed the rules.
        translation of St. Alphonso Liguori in Lives of Companion St. Alphonso Liguori 81
      2. 1851
        The rule commonly requires also that there should be two prudent sisters who are called Zealators, and whose duty it is to admonish the superioress, should she exceed or fail in her duties.
        W. B. Ullathorne, Plea Rights Relig. Women 11
      3. 1865
        He had figured conspicuously in the first band of Zelators at the epoch of their foundation in 1855.
        W. G. Palgrave, Narrative Journey through Arabia vol. II. 3
      4. 1869
        The Zelators are specially charged..to watch over their strict observance of the Rule, and to give notice to the Father Rector should they..give scandal to others and disgrace their holy profession.
        Manual Third Order St. Francis of Assisi vol. I. xv. 121
      5. 1911
        The novice master..whose assistant was sometimes called the ‘zelator’.
        Catholic Encyclopedia vol. XI. 184/1
      6. 1973
        It was the custom of the Discalced, when accused of offences against the rule, as some of them were every Friday by the zealator, to make no reply..except the words, ‘I will amend’.
        G. Brenan, St. John of Cross (1975) viii. 86
      7. 1978
        The elders of the city had formed the band of Zelators..to purge Riyadh of its evil ways.
        Z. D. Freeth & H. V. F. Winstone, Explorers of Arabia vi. 181
      8. 2013
        Since the appointment of the zelator, the observances of the house have deepened.
        P. Lawrence, Abbot's Notebook 134
    3. 1.c.
      1876–1912
      † A person employed by a group to recruit people to a cause or mission, or to encourage them to give financial or practical support. Obsolete.
      Chiefly in the context of Roman Catholic organizations established to carry out charitable or missionary work.
      1. 1876
        Zelators aid in spreading the devotion by enrolling members.
        T. E. Bridgett, Discipline of Drink App. 235
      2. 1888
        Lady Herbert the treasurer, gave an account of the receipts from the zelators, since the last meeting.
        Tablet 14 April 612/2
      3. 1896
        Mr Joseph Cook..on behalf of the Confraternity of the Holy House of which he is a Zelator, begs that those who wish to become members will send in their names to him.
        Tablet 4 January 15/1
      4. 1912
        A zelator and a zelatrix in every parish could do much without interfering with local needs.
        Irish Monthly vol. 40 476
  1. 2.
    1585–
    A zealot (see zealot n.); esp. a person who is excessively, immoderately, or fanatically devoted to a cause or ideal, esp. a religious or political one. Now rare.
    1. 1585
      These great zelators [French zelateurs] do not onely in words, but also in writing continually slaunder the king.
      translation of True Rep. Taking of Marseilles sig. Bv
    2. 1602
      Finallie these goodlie Zelators [French Zelateurs]..came to such an extremitie, that they themselves set their temple on fire in Ierusalem.
      S. Patrick, translation of I. Gentillet, Disc. Wel Governing ii. 97
    3. 1644
      I can best compare them..with that Rebellious rout of the Iewes, who called themselves Zelators.
      H. Leslie, Blessing of Ivdah 41
    4. 1867
      Even stoutest parliamentary ‘zealoters’ must yield to utter weariness of body.
      R. Palgrave in Macmillan's Magazine June 143
    5. 1986
      The common Christian image of the Pharisees as stern and narrow minded zealators of the Law is considered by Jewish scholars as slanderous, and rightly so.
      L. Legrand in P. Puthanangady, Popular Devotions India iv. 298

zealator, n. was revised in June 2018.

zealator, n. was last modified in September 2024.