Jesuit \Jes"u*it\, n. [F. J['e]suite, Sp. Jesuita: cf. It.
Gesuita.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) One of a religious order founded by Ignatius
Loyola, and approved in 1540, under the title of The
Society of Jesus.
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Note: The order consists of Scholastics, the Professed, the
Spiritual Coadjutors, and the Temporal Coadjutors or
Lay Brothers. The Jesuit novice after two years becomes
a Scholastic, and takes his first vows of poverty,
chastity, and obedience simply. Some years after, at
the close of a second novitiate, he takes his second
vows and is ranked among the Coadjutors or Professed.
The Professed are bound by a fourth vow, from which
only the pope can dispense, requiring them to go
wherever the pope may send them for missionary duty.
The Coadjutors teach in the schools, and are employed
in general missionary labors. The Society is governed
by a General who holds office for life. He has
associated with him "Assistants" (five at the present
time), representing different provinces. The Society
was first established in the United States in 1807. The
Jesuits have displayed in their enterprises a high
degree of zeal, learning, and skill, but, by their
enemies, have been generally reputed to use art and
intrigue in promoting or accomplishing their purposes,
whence the words Jesuit, Jesuitical, and the like, have
acquired an opprobrious sense.
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2. Fig.: A crafty person; an intriguer.
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Jesuits' bark, Peruvian bark, or the bark of certain
species of Cinchona; -- so called because its medicinal
properties were first made known in Europe by Jesuit
missionaries to South America.
Jesuits' drops. See Friar's balsam, under Friar.
Jesuits' nut, the European water chestnut.
Jesuits' powder, powdered cinchona bark.
Jesuits' tea, a Chilian leguminous shrub, used as a tea and
medicinally.
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