Adamitism

See also: adamitism

English

Alternative forms

• adamitism (rare)

Etymology

Adam +‎ -ite +‎ -ism

Noun

Adamitism (uncountable)

1. Any of a variety of Christian sects or cults that advocated nudity as an expression of human perfection.
   • 1814, Charles Johnson, William Davis, The History of the Lives and Actions of the Most Famous Highwaymen, Street-Robbers, &c. &c. &c., page 433:

     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.

   • 1964, Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History, page 136:

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

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

     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.

2. (obsolete) The advocacy or practice of public nudity; nudism.
   • 1861, Bracebridge Hemyng, The Dark Cloud with the Silver Lining, page 87:

     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.

   • 1893, The Young Woman - Volume 2, page 71:

     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.

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

     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.