casuist
(ˈkæzjuːɪst, ˈkæʒ(j)uːɪst)
[a. F. casuiste (Sp. casuista, It. casista), f. L. cāsu-s case: see -ist.]
A theologian (or other person) who studies and resolves cases of conscience or doubtful questions regarding duty and conduct. (Often with a sinister application: see casuistry.)
| 1609 B. Jonson Sil. Wom. iv. v. (1616) 576 To talke with a Casuist about his diuorce. a 1661 B. Holyday Juvenal Pref., Like an exact casuist does he not make conscience man's keeper and judge? 1663 Cowley Cutter Colem. St. iii. v, Like cunning Casuists as all Lovers are. a 1668 Denham Progr. Learning 118 Casuists, like cocks, struck out each other's eyes. 1732 Pope Ep. Bathurst 2 Who shall decide, when Doctors disagree And soundest Casuists doubt, like you and me? 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 359. 1836 H. Rogers J. Howe iii. (1863) 71 Provided we state a real reason..it is agreed by all casuists, that we are not bound to state every reason. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 566 Casuists willing and competent to soothe his conscience with sophisms. |
Hence † ˈcasuist v., to play the casuist; ˈcasuistess, a female casuist; † ˈcasuistly adv., according to the principles of casuists.
| 1643 Milton Divorce ii. xx. (1851) 119 We never leave subtilizing and casuisting. 1650 B. Discolliminium 7 Uncasuistly or unconscientiously asserted. 1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. v. (1875) 219 No casuistess in the gay Science. |