melchite Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an eastern Christian in Egypt or Syria who adheres to the Orthodox faith as defined by the council of Chalcedon in 451 and as accepted by the Byzantine emperor
    Melkite.
  2. noun an Orthodox Christian or Uniate Christian belonging to the patriarchate of Alexandria or Antioch or Jerusalem
    Melkite.

WordNet

Mel"chite noun
Etymology
Heb. melek king.
Definitions
  1. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect, chiefly in Syria and Egypt, which acknowledges the authority of the pope, but adheres to the liturgy and ceremonies of the Eastern Church.

Webster 1913