Jansenist
/ˈdʒæn.sən.ɪst/noun
A follower of Jansenism, a Catholic theological movement emphasizing human sinfulness, divine grace, and predestination.
Did you know?Jansenism was condemned by the papacy, yet its spiritual stronghold at Port-Royal influenced major French writers including Blaise Pascal and Racine.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
Yōḥānān
““Yahweh is gracious,” the ancient personal name underlying the later name John.”
Late Antiquity
Greek
Iōannēs
“Greek form of the Hebrew name, used in the New Testament and early Christian tradition.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Iohannes
“Latin form of the name that spread through Christian Europe.”
16th–17th Century
Dutch
Jansen
“A Dutch patronymic surname meaning “son of Jan,” with Jan being a vernacular form of John.”
17th Century
Latin/French
Jansenismus / Jansénisme
“The theological movement associated with Cornelius Jansen, bishop of Ypres, whose work Augustinus inspired the movement.”
17th Century
French/English
Janséniste / Jansenist
“A follower or supporter of Jansenism, especially in the disputes over grace and predestination within Roman Catholicism.”