Methodist

Methodist

Noun / Adjective · /ˈmɛθ.ə.dɪst/

Definition

(Noun) a member of the Methodist Church, one of the principal Protestant Christian denominations; (Adjective) relating to Methodism or the Methodist Church.

Origin

From method (from Latin methodus, from Greek methodos, pursuit of knowledge, investigation, from meta-, after + hodos, way, road) + -ist (one who practices or follows). The name Methodist was originally applied mockingly to the Oxford Holy Club — a group of young men at Oxford including John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield who followed a methodical approach to religious devotion. The name was adopted and worn with pride. John Wesley (1703–1791) founded what became the Methodist movement.