sophister

American  

[sof-uh-ster] / ˈsɒf ə stər /

noun

1. a specious, unsound, or fallacious reasoner.

2. Chiefly British. (especially formerly) a second or third year student at a university.

3. Obsolete. an ancient Greek sophist.

---

sophister British  

/ ˈsɒfɪstə /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a second-year undergraduate at certain British universities

2. rare another word for sophist

---

Etymology

Origin of sophister

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French sophistre < Latin sophista. See sophist

Example Sentences

By that he hath heard one mooting and seen two plays, he thinks as basely of the university as a young sophister doth of the grammar-school.

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various

Then Grangousier commanded he should be paid his wages, that they should whittle him up soundly, like a sophister, with good drink, and then give him leave to go to all the devils in hell.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 1 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Wood says of him, "He was many years a constant and faithful preacher of God's word"; and Fuller styles him "a golden sophister, a painful preacher, and author of an excellent history of the Bible."

From Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county. by Coleman, Thomas

Truly, they have made me think of the sophister, that with too much subtlety would prove two eggs three, and though he may be counted a sophister, had none for his labour.

From A Defence of Poesie and Poems by Sidney, Philip, Sir

What is't to hear a sophister, that pleads, Who by the ears the deceived audience leads?

From Poetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John Denham by Denham, John, Sir