Hist. [see -IST. In F. cardinaliste, a partisan of Cardinal Richelieu or Mazarin.] A partisan of cardinals or of a cardinal.
Applied esp. to the adherents of Cardinal Granvella during the Dutch revolt from the Spanish rule in the 16th c.
1650. R. Stapylton, Strada’s Low-C. Warres, IV. 81. The faction of the Cardinalists.
1855. Motley, Dutch Rep., I. 390. They stigmatized all who refused to enter into their league as cardinalists.
