Baconian, a. and n.
(beɪˈkəʊnɪən)
[f. Lord Bacon, philosopher of the 17th c. + -ian.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon, or to the experimental and inductive system of natural philosophy taught by him.
| 1812 Sir H. Davy Chem. Philos. 32 In the spirit of the Baconian School, multiplying instances and cautiously making inductions. |
2. In modern times used with reference to the theory that Francis Bacon wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare.
| 1874 N.Y. Herald 19 Sept. 11/2 This Baconian theory necessitates a compact and agreement between William Shakespeare and Lord Bacon. 1904 Daily Chron. 14 Jan. 3/2 If Baconianism had no more cogent evidence to encounter, the game would be in its hands. Since Bacon, on the Baconian hypothesis, certainly broke all other records, why not this one as well? |
B. n.
1. An adherent of Bacon's philosophical system.
| 1869 Daily News 26 Jan., The scholastics and not the Baconians of their science. |
2. One who holds that Bacon wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare.
| 1874 N.Y. Herald 19 Sept. 11/3 It appears to me that considerable blank ammunition has been wasted in this ridiculous war between the Baconians and the Shakespearians. 1904 Garnett Eng. Lit. II. 201 Baconians talk as if Bacon had nothing to do but to write his play at his chambers and send it to his factotum, Shakespeare, at the other end of the town. 1952 Auden Nones 47 Lovers of small numbers go benignly potty,..are Millerites, Baconians, Flat-Earth-Men. |
Hence Baˈconianism, the Baconian philosophy; the theory that Bacon wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare. Baˈconic a., ˈBaconist = Baconian a. and n.
| 1834 Edin. Rev. LIX. 32 A sort of Baconic nomenclature. a 1866 J. Grote Exam. Util. Philos. xvii. (1870) 264 The distinction between intuitiveness and inductiveness, pre-Baconianism, and Baconianism. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U.S. II. xxi. 7 The party of Baconists had obtained great influence. 1884 W. H. Wyman Bibliogr. Bacon–Shakes. Controversy 27 Judge Holmes is the apostle of Baconianism. 1904 [see sense A. 2 above]. |