zealotisthttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealotist_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezealotist, n. & adj.
Revised 2018

zealotistnoun & adjective

Now somewhat rare or historical.
  1. noun
    1. 1593–
      A zealot (in either sense A.2 or sense A.3 of the noun). Cf. zealotism n.
      1. 1593
        The Iewes had their..seperate, and precise Pharises..their feruent, and illuminate Zelotistes.
        G. Harvey, Pierces Supererogation 104
      2. 1608
        I haue sinned much in following blind Zelo[t]ists, setting al on fire with Samsons foxes.
        H. Clapham, Errour on Left Hand 8
      3. 1640
        I could wish, that these sciolous Zelotists had more Judgement joynd with their Zeale.
        J. Howell, Δενδρολογια 87
      4. 1848
        Judas of Gamala and the Zelotists [German des Zelotismus] had incited the people to expect in Messiah a deliverer from the temporal yoke of the Romans.
        J. M'Clintock & C. E. Blumenthal, translation of A. Neander, Life of Jesus Christ 296
      5. 1911
        Tuesday afternoon, an enthusiastic meeting of hockey zealotists was held at the Shortridge Hockey field.
        Shortridge Daily Echo (Indianapolis) 28 September
      6. 1970
        Some state that Judas was a Zealotist.
        Monroe (Louisiana) News Star 18 September
  2. adjective
    1. 1956–
      Chiefly with capital initial. Of, relating to, or characteristic of the Zealots or Zealotism. Cf. zealot n. A.2, zealotism n. 2.
      1. 1956
        The Slavic translation of the Jewish historiographer Josephus..presents Jesus' movement as Zealotist.
        O. Cullmann, State in New Testament ii. 49
      2. 1998
        The references adduced to Zealotist tendencies on the part of James the Zebedee and Peter..involve exclusively pre-Easter situations.
        D. Stott, translation of R. Riesner, Paul's Early Period 123
      3. 2013
        He..refers to those who wish to make Jesus a Zealotist revolutionary.
        C. van Wyngaard in M. A. Plaatjies-Van Huffel & R. Vosloo, Reformed Churches in South Africa xviii. 271

Originally published as part of the entry for zealotism, n.

zealotist, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.

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