Donatism

1 of 2

noun (1)

Do·​na·​tism ˈdō-nə-ˌti-zəm 

ˈdä-

: the doctrines of a Christian sect arising in North Africa in 311 and holding that sanctity is essential for the administration of sacraments and church membership

Donatist

ˈdō-nə-tist 

ˈdä-

noun

Donatist

2 of 2

noun (2)

Don·​a·​tist -tə̇st 

plural -s

: a member of a schismatic party of Christians in North Africa from 311 to the 7th century who held that the validity of the sacraments depends on the spiritual state of the minister, that sanctity is essential for church membership, and that all who joined their group should be rebaptized

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Donatus, 4th century bishop of Carthage

Noun (2)

Medieval Latin Donatista, from Donatus, 4th century bishop of Carthage + Latin -ista -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1588, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Donatism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism