azymite

Definition

One who administers the Eucharist with unleavened bread, in particular a member of the Latin Church or Roman Catholic Church.

Etymology

From Latin azȳmita, from Ancient Greek ἀζῡμίτης (azūmítēs), from ἄζῡμος (ázūmos) + -ῑ́της (-ī́tēs, suffix forming masculine nouns meaning being connected to or a member of something, or coming from a particular place). ἄζῡμος is derived from ᾰ̓- (ă-, the alpha privativum, a prefix forming words having a sense opposite to the word or stem to which it is attached) + ζύμη (zúmē, “leaven, yeast”) + -ος (-os, suffix forming nouns of result or abstract nouns of action). The English word is analysable as, by surface analysis, a- + zym- + -ite or azyme + -ite.

Example Sentences

• "“Shall we drink a cup in honour of the Holy Virgin, and confusion to the Azymites?” / “Yes, yes! shouted the multitude. “Away with the Azymites—we want no new religion here;” and, singing and shouting, they threw up their caps in the air, […]"
• "“Away with them!” cried the Greeks; “we want no Latin allies! Away with the worship of the azymites!”"
• "Moreover, the Azymites were often guilty of another monstrous crime: they fasted judaistically on Saturdays."