Separatist

& a. [Eng. separat (e); -ist.] A. As substantive: I. Ord. Lang.: One who withdraws or separates himself; specifically, one who withdraws or secedes from a church or sect to which he has belonged; a seceder, a schismatic, a sectary. II. Technically : 1. Eccles. & Church Hist .: A small sect calling themselves Separatists or Protestant Separatists, and holding aloof from the Church of England, believing it not sufficiently to maintain its Protestant character. 2. Eng . History ( pl .): A name applied by their opponents to those who, in 1885, followed Mr. Gladstone in wishing to concede to Ireland a separate parliament and executive for the management of Irish, as distinguished from Imperial, affairs. B. As adj .: Advocating separation or repeal of a union; separationist. sep-a-ra-tist-ic, a. [English separatist ; -ic.] *B. As subst.: A separatist. ( Gauden .)