Romanist

noun

Ro·​man·​ist ˈrō-mə-nist How to pronounce Romanist (audio)
1
often offensive : roman catholic
2
: a specialist in the language, culture, or law of ancient Rome
Romanist adjective
or Romanistic

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Romanist was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Romanist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Romanist. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

Legal Definition

Romanist

1 of 2 noun
Ro·​man·​ist ˈrō-mə-nist How to pronounce Romanist (audio)
: a specialist in the law of ancient Rome

Romanist

2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to the law of ancient Rome
Romanist tradition
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