Donatist

[ don-uh-tist, doh-nuh- ]

noun

1. a member of a Christian sect that developed in northern Africa in a.d. 311 and maintained that it alone constituted the whole and only true church and that baptisms and ordinations of the orthodox clergy were invalid.

Donatist

/ ˈdəʊnətɪst /

noun

1. a member of a schismatic heretical Christian sect originating in N Africa in 311 ad , that maintained that it alone constituted the true church

Derived Forms

• ˈDonaˌtism, noun

Other Words From

• Dona·tism noun
• Dona·tistic Dona·tisti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Donatist¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin Dōnātista; Donatus, -ist

Word History and Origins

Origin of Donatist¹

C15: from Late Latin Dōnātista a follower of Dōnātus , bishop of Carthage

Example Sentences

A fourth part of the Donatist bishops followed the independent standard of the Maximianists.

From Project Gutenberg

At that moment the Donatist Purpuris brutally thrust off the bishop and took his place on the tribune.

From Project Gutenberg

So the unity of external organization was emphasized when it was threatened by the Gnostic, Novatian, and Donatist controversies.

From Project Gutenberg

The Donatist schism (see Donatists) occasioned a number of important synods.

From Project Gutenberg

Faustinus, a Donatist, his persecution of the Catholics, 353.

From Project Gutenberg