Dissenterism

The governing religious opinions or principles of di enters; the spirit of the doctrine of di ent. Di entient, ( dis -sèn's hent.) a. Disagreeing; di enting; declaring contrary opinions or sentiments; as, the bill pa ed without a di entient voice. IMG:content-0639.jpg:[blocks in formation] one who separates from an established form of religion. -pl. ( Eccl . Hist .) A term applied in Poland to those di enters from the established religion (Catholic) who, under the old republic, were allowed the free exercise of their faith; including Luther ans, Calvinists, and Greeks, but excluding various minor sects. Their rights were fixed by the Religious Peace ( paz di identium ) of 1573, but they were infringed upon in the 18th century by various princes. They were supported in demanding the repeal of these restrictions by Ru ia and Pru ia (in 1766), and hence those powers acquired one of their favorite pretexts for interference in the affairs of the Polish nation. Their rights were restored in 1775, with some exceptions; but after the Ru ian conquest they were placed on the same footing with the Catholics. Di ilience, n. [From Lat. di ilio , di i liens-dis, and salio , to leap.] Act of leaping or springing asunder; act of bursting or starting in two.