zionisthttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zionist_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZionist, n. & adj.
Revised 2021

Zionistnoun & adjective

  1. noun
    1. 1.
      a1649–1863
      † A member of a religious group believing in an idealized society or Zion (Zion n. 2a). Cf. Zionite n. 1. Obsolete. rare.
      In quot. a1649 denoting Christians, with reference to Psalm 87. In quot. 1863 denoting the name of a Protestant or Nonconformist sect.
      1. a1649
        Setting forth the glorious priviledges of Sion proph[e]sied of old, but not yet fulfilled, saving in their shadows, which shortly would be accomplished in substance, when all nations should be ambitious to be Sionists, for the Church it selfe should bear that name.
        G. Abbott, Brief Notes Psalms (1651) lxxxvii. 396
      2. 1863
        Independents, Baptists, Ranters, Unitarians, Methodists, Milleniumists, Southcotists, Zionists, and all the other sections into which Christianity is split up can keep open their respective tabernacles without state aid.
        Preston Chron. & Lancashire Advertiser 19 December 6/3
    2. 2.
      1891–
      Originally: an advocate or supporter of a movement among Jewish people for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation in Palestine. Later: an advocate or supporter of the development and protection of the state of Israel. Cf. Zionism n. 1.
      1. 1891
        At the meeting of zionists the speakers declared that facts were known which justified the action of the European governments.
        Los Angeles Times 30 May 1
      2. 1900
        We Zionists labor to turn their eyes to the east, to the land of their national birth..where anti-Semitism can be changed into pro-Semitism.
        Chicago Tribune 7 January 34/4
      3. 1971
        My biography is similar to those of so many other Jewish people from Lithuania: to kheyder at the age of five, had a good head for learning, was religious, then became an unbeliever and later a Zionist.
        I. Metzker & D. L. Levy, translation of Bintel Brief 131
      4. 2015
        Naftali Bennett's Jewish Home Party is explicitly advocating a closer alliance between religious and secular Zionists.
        Commentary November 35/1
    3. 3.
      1948–
      A member of any of a group of independent churches in southern Africa which practise a form of Christianity similar to that of Pentecostal churches but incorporating elements of African traditional worship and belief.
      1. 1948
        Theologically the Zionists are now a syncretistic Bantu movement with healing, speaking with tongues, purification rites, and taboos as the main expressions of their faith.
        B. G. M. Sundkler, Bantu Prophets in South Africa ii. 55
      2. 1977
        Some aspects of the old Soweto still exist: the neatly kept gardens of middle-class black homes;..the Zionists, an Africanized Christian sect, famous for their daylong religious dances that begin at prayer services in backyard tents on Saturday nights.
        Time 27 June 18/3
      3. 2014
        An indication of the external similarity of Isaiah's new church with the Zionist movement is the fact that, on more than one occasion, the government mistook Nazaretha believers for Zionists.
        J. Cabrita, Text & Authority in South Afr. Nazaretha Church iii. 98
  2. adjective
    1. 1896–
      Of or relating to Zionism (Zionism n. 1); designating a Zionist (sense A.2).
      1. 1896
        The emigration and Zionist societies.
        Jewish Chronicle 17 January 12/2
      2. 1923
        It will be seen from this how far right the Zionist leaders, Dr. Weizmann and Mr. Sokolow in particular, were in the estimate they put upon that Statement.
        Jewish Chronicle 19 January 5/1
      3. 1967
        He had become involved in Zionist activities and was always attending meetings where he spoke about the importance of Palestine as a Jewish homeland.
        C. Potok, Chosen xiii. 213
      4. 2018
        Although the Zionist movement was founded in the 19th century, the state of Israel was born following the Holocaust.
        Western Mail (Cardiff) (National edition) (Nexis) 22 November

Zionist, n. & adj. was revised in March 2021.

Zionist, n. & adj. was last modified in September 2024.