adamitism

1. rareuncountableRare form of Adamitism.

   At the same council were condemned also the preachers of adamitism

   1978, Bulgarian historical review

   3 more examples

   The spreading of novel teachings, often radical in character and at times even eccentric — chiliasm, adamitism, abuse of the sacrament of the altar — did not cease, however

   1934, Kamil Krofta, Jiří Hoetzel, A Short History of Czechoslovakia, page 42

   It shall be unlawful for any person to procure, to offer, or to engage in any act of adamitism, anilingus, beastiality, cunnilingus, coprophilia, fellation, flagellation, frottage, masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, or urolagnia for any financial consideration or reward.

   1976, The Municipal Attorney - Volume 17, page 120

   Although his voice sometimes takes on a cutting edge when he disparages "adamitism'" or Teufelsdrockh ' s love affair, it is more difficult to see the Editor as a true ironist, destroying outworn notions, than it is to see the philosopher in that role.

   1982, Chris Ramon Vanden Bossche, Revolution and Authority, page 102

alternative rare adamitism

1. uncountableAny of a variety of Christian sects or cults that advocated nudity as an expression of human perfection.

   Thus Adamitism might be regarded as a kind of terminal point; while preserving the doctrines of both chiliasm and Pikartism, it found its true center of gravity in the full and open cult of the deified self.

   1970, Sylvia Lettice Thrupp, Millennial Dreams in Action, page 182

   2 more examples

   He ordered them both to strip to the skin, then addressed them as follows: "That as he perceived that neither of them had any religion before, 'twas proper they should begin to have some, and therefore out of charity to their souls, he had converted them to Adamitism.

   1814, Charles Johnson, William Davis, The History of the Lives and Actions of the Most Famous Highwaymen, Street-Robbers, &c. &c. &c., page 433

   We may infer from these passages that Adamitism still survived into the mid-1420s, although the main body of the sect had been liquidated in 1421; the survivors evidently made good use of the quasi-Pikart eucharistic doctrine

   1964, Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History, page 136

2. obsoleteuncountableThe advocacy or practice of public nudity.

   It was easy enough to leave off drinking sugar in her tea, but it was difficult to leave off materials constructed of cotton, and Miss Congreve was driven to the verge of Adamitism.

   1861, Bracebridge Hemyng, The Dark Cloud with the Silver Lining, page 87

   2 more examples

   In what environment these lads were found it boots not to tell ; such habiliments or parts of garments as they possess threaten at any moment to give way and leave them in a state of Adamitism not to be thought of with unconcern.

   1893, The Young Woman - Volume 2, page 71

   A few years ago, all sane people would have said that Adamitism was quite as mad as Anthropophagy. A banker walking down the streets with no clothes on would have been quite as nonsensical as a butcher selling man instead of mutton.

   1929, G. K. Chesterton, The Thing: Why I am a Catholic

   Synonyms: naturism, nudism