What does "ebionite" mean?
A member of an early Jewish Christian sect that lived in and around Judea and Palestine from the 1st to the 4th century.
Ebionite
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A member of an early Jewish Christian sect that lived in and around Judea and Palestine from the 1st to the 4th century.
- Grammar: ebionite is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adoptionist, ebionitic, ebionitism, heretic.
- Useful contrasts: contemporary term, mainstream Christian, mainstream Christianity.
- Usage evidence: And if the pious bishop and martyr, St. Irenaeus, happen to drop any thing pointed against the Doctor's progenitors, the ancient Ebionites, of heretical memory, he gently passes it over as though no such passages occurred in that learned and venerable Father's writings.
How to use "ebionite"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "ebionite" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "ebionite" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "ebionite" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adoptionist" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A member of an early Jewish Christian sect that lived in and around Judea and Palestine from the 1st to the 4th century. historical
"And if the pious bishop and martyr, St. Irenaeus, happen to drop any thing pointed against the Doctor's progenitors, the ancient Ebionites, of heretical memory, he gently passes it over as though no such passages occurred in that learned and venerable Father's writings."
- 2 a member of a group of Jews who (during the early history of the Christian Church) accepted Jesus as the Messiah; they accepted the Gospel According to Matthew but rejected the Epistles of St. Paul and continued to follow Jewish law and celebrate Jewish holidays; they were later declared heretic by the Church of Rome wordnet
Adjective
- 1 of or relating to the Ebionites or their religion wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
contemporary termmainstream Christianmainstream Christianitymodern usage
Example
"And if the pious bishop and martyr, St. Irenaeus, happen to drop any thing pointed against the Doctor's progenitors, the ancient Ebionites, of heretical memory, he gently passes it over as though no such passages occurred in that learned and venerable Father's writings."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "ebionite"?
Common synonyms include: adoptionist, ebionitic, ebionitism, heretic, historical designation, jewish christian.
How do you use "ebionite" in a sentence?
And if the pious bishop and martyr, St. Irenaeus, happen to drop any thing pointed against the Doctor's progenitors, the ancient Ebionites, of heretical memory, he gently passes it over as though no such passages occurred in that learned and venerable Father's writings.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Ἐβιωναῖοι (Ebiōnaîoi), from Hebrew אביונים (Ebyonim, “the Poor Ones”), plural of Hebrew אֶבְיוֹן (ʾeḇyōn, “needy, poor”), itself likely a borrowing from Coptic ⲉⲃⲓⲏⲛ (ebiēn, “poor”).