legitimist
(lɪˈdʒɪtɪmɪst)
[ad. F. légitimiste, f. légitime: see legitime and -ist.]
A supporter of legitimate authority, esp. of a monarchical title claimed on the ground of direct descent; spec. in France, a supporter of the elder Bourbon line, driven from the throne in 1830.
| 1841 W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. III. 66 The papal secretary of state was denounced as a secret adherent of the legitimists. 1865 Maffei Brigand Life I. 231 Naples became the rallying point of the legitimists. 1865 Examiner 11 Mar. 145/1 The legitimists and clericals soon tied a stone to it and sent it to the bottom. 1870 Sat. Rev. 2 Apr. 430 Isabella II. was, in the eyes of Legitimists and extreme Catholics, a revolutionary usurper. |
b. attrib. or adj. Of or pertaining to the legitimists; brought about by legitimists; expressing their sentiments.
| 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) I. App. 627 He is not likely to have made the strong legitimist harangue which is put into his mouth. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 190 The accession of the house of York was strictly a legitimist restoration. |
Hence legitiˈmistic a., inclined to the opinions of the legitimists.
| 1877 Tinsley's Mag. XX. 381 He is too Legitimistic for me. |