Jacobite

[ jak-uh-bahyt ]

noun

1. a partisan or adherent of James II of England after his overthrow (1688), or of the Stuarts.
2. a member of the Syrian Monophysitic church, which was founded in the 6th century a.d. and was governed by the patriarch of Antioch.

Jacobite

/ ˈdʒækəˌbaɪt; ˌdʒækəˈbɪtɪk /

noun

1. history an adherent of James II after his overthrow in 1688, or of his descendants in their attempts to regain the throne
2. a member of the Monophysite Church of Syria, which became a schismatic church in 451 ad

Derived Forms

• Jacobitic, adjective
• ˈJacoˌbitism, noun

Other Words From

• Jac·o·bit·ic [jak-, uh, -, bit, -ik], Jaco·biti·cal adjective
• Jaco·bit·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jacobite¹

1400–50; Jacobite ( indef 2 ) late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin Jacōbīta, after Jacobus Baradaeus, bishop of Edessa (died 578); Jacobite ( indef 1 ) James; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jacobite¹

C17: from Late Latin Jacōbus James + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

It would not by any means have based its distinctive character upon mere Jacobite principles.

From Project Gutenberg

Although he had submitted to the new Constitution, he was a thorough Jacobite in feeling.

From Project Gutenberg

But there was undoubtedly a large body of Jacobite clergymen who in various ways reconciled this to their conscience.

From Project Gutenberg

The fires of the Puritan faction had smouldered out; those of the Jacobite frenzy had hardly had time to rekindle.

From Project Gutenberg

And now a shopkeeper has filled his window with royal Stuart tartans, and I am instantly a Jacobite.

From Project Gutenberg