† Academist Obs.
(əˈkædəmɪst)
[a. Fr. académiste: see Academy and -ist.]
1. An Academic philosopher; a sceptic.
| c 1730 A. Baxter Enq. into Nat. Soul (1745) II. 255 Sometimes a Dogmatist..and sometimes a regular and precise Academist. 1691 Ray Creation (1704) ii. 386 These Academists (Aristotle and Pliny) do not refer merely to the lightness of this Creature's Body. |
2. A member of an academy for the promotion of arts or sciences. In this sense it is now supplanted by academician.
| 1691 Ray Creation (1704) ii. 384 The Parisian Academists observe of the Sea-Tortoise, that the Cleft of the Glottis was strait and close. 1782 J. Warton Ess. on Pope II. ix. 70 Such is the Commentary of the academist on these famous lines. |
3. A pupil in a school for riding, etc. See Academy 5.
| 1651 Evelyn Diary Sept. 7 Chevalier Paul..had never been an Academist, and yet govern'd a very unruly horse. |