Mennonite

[ men-uh-nahyt ]

noun

1. a member of an evangelical Protestant sect, originating in Europe in the 16th century, that opposes infant baptism, practices baptism of believers only, restricts marriage to members of the denomination, opposes war and bearing arms, and is noted for simplicity of living and plain dress.

Mennonite

/ ˈmɛnəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a member of a Protestant sect that rejects infant baptism, Church organization, and the doctrine of transubstantiation and in most cases refuses military service, public office, and the taking of oaths

Derived Forms

• ˈMennoˌnitism, noun

Other Words From

• Menno·nit·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mennonite¹

1555–65; < German Mennonit; named after Menno Simons (1492–1559), Frisian religious leader; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mennonite¹

C16: from German Mennonit, after Menno Simons (1496–1561), Frisian religious leader

Example Sentences

I pitched up bundles from below, to an old man of sixty, who wore a fringe of grey beard, like a Mennonite.

From Project Gutenberg

His wife, nominally of the Mennonite faith, was quite willing to accept her husband's creed.

From Project Gutenberg

As we go round the field, the Mennonite boy talks religion, or is silent.

From Project Gutenberg

This Mennonite was a priestess of her view of the truth and comes of endless generations of such snow-footed apostles.

From Project Gutenberg

I was by chance taking a short respite from the sunshine, last Monday noon, on the porch of the Mennonite farmer.

From Project Gutenberg