English edit

Etymology edit

From Medieval Latin Dōnātista, from Dōnātus, one of their leaders.

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdəʊnətɪst/, /ˈdɒnətɪst/

Noun edit

Donatist (plural Donatists)

  1. (Christianity, historical) One of a group of Christians in fourth-century North Africa who broke away as a group after opposing the appointment of Caecilianus as Bishop of Carthage, and who disputed the validity of baptisms performed by others.
    • 2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin, published 2010, page 211:
      Faced with petitions from the Donatists, in 311 Constantine made a decision of great significance for the future.

Anagrams edit