Jansenism

[ jan-suh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. the doctrinal system of Cornelis Jansen and his followers, denying free will and maintaining that human nature is corrupt and that Christ died for the elect and not for all humanity.

Jansenism

/ ˈdʒænsəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. RC Church the doctrine of the Cornelis Jansen and his disciples, who maintained that salvation was limited to those subject to a supernatural determinism, the rest being destined to perdition
2. the religious movement arising from these doctrines

Derived Forms

• ˈJansenist, nounadjective
• ˌJansenˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• Jansen·ist noun
• Jansen·istic Jansen·isti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jansenism¹

From the French word jansénisme, dating back to 1650–60. See Jansen, -ism

Example Sentences

Such are the barest outlines of the rise and progress of Jansenism during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

From Project Gutenberg

Jansenism was the most vigorous contemporary effort to renovate not only morals but Church doctrine (see Jansenism).

From Project Gutenberg

This chapter, wittily entitled (with a touch of Jansenism) "the little number of elect," would be brief were it but a catalogue.

From Project Gutenberg

This question of Jansenism and Molinism occupied France for about two hundred years.

From Project Gutenberg

He found fault with his friend for undue favour to the Jesuits, and undue severity towards Jansenism.

From Project Gutenberg