DictionaryRoot: -iste
French
-iste
a practitioner, specialist, or supporter
Forms
- -iste
- -ist — The final e was dropped in English.
Origin
Through Latin -ista from Greek -istes.
Note
The ending can name an occupation or an allegiance; it does not guarantee professional expertise.
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noun / adjective
papist
PAY-pist/ˈpeɪpɪst/
A usually derogatory term for a Roman Catholic or something associated with Roman Catholicism.
Etymology
The formation identifies someone as an adherent of the pope, acknowledging Rome's supreme religious authority. Historically, it was usually an anti-Catholic label of contempt rather than a neutral description.