proselyte Meaning, Definition & Usage

Pros"e*lyte noun

Etymology

OE. proselite, OF. proselite, F. proselytus, Gr. , adj., that has come, n., a new comer, especially, one who has come over from heathenism to the Jewish religion; toward, to + (prob.) the root of to come.

Definitions

1. A new convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan converted to Christianity, is a proselyte.

   Ye [Scribes and Pharisees] compass sea and land to make one proselyte. Matt. xxiii. 15.

   Fresh confidence the speculatist takes From every harebrained proselyte he makes. Cowper.

   Syn. -- See Convert.

Pros"e*lyte transitive verb

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Proselyted ; present participle & verbal noun Proselyting

Definitions

1. To convert to some religion, opinion, or system; to bring over. se proselytize Dr. H. More.