Jansenism

noun

Jan·​sen·​ism ˈjan(t)-sə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce Jansenism (audio)
1
: a system of doctrine based on moral determinism, defended by various reformist factions among 17th and 18th century western European Roman Catholic clergy, religious, and scholars, and condemned as heretical by papal authority
2
: a puritanical attitude (as toward sex)
Jansenist noun
Jansenistic adjective

Word History

Etymology

French jansénisme, from Cornelis Jansen

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Jansenism was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near Jansenism

Cite this Entry

“Jansenism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Jansenism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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