a. and sb. [f. name Confuci-us + -AN.
Confucius is Latinized from the Chinese K’ung Fû tsze, meaning ‘K’ung the (our, your) Master (or Philosopher),’ K’ung being the surname of the great Chinese sage. A translation of three of the Chinese Classics, by four of the Roman Catholic missionaries, was published at Paris in 1687, under the title, Confucius Sinarum Philosophus, sive Scientia Sinensis Latine exposita. (Prof. J. Legge.)]
A. adj. Of or relating to the Chinese philosopher Confucius, or his teaching, or followers. B. sb. A follower of Confucius.
1837. Penny Cycl., VII. 447/1. Nor have the true Confucians ever represented the Great First Cause under any image or personification whatever.
1847. Medhurst, Theol. Chinese, 4. The Confucian Age … was tolerably free from idolatry.
1877. J. E. Carpenter, Tiele’s Hist. Relig., 35. The canonical books of the Confucians.
1878. J. H. Gray, China, I. iv. 94. Confucian temples are occasionally used as colleges.
Hence Confucianism, the doctrines or system of Confucius and his followers; Confucianist, an adherent of Confucianism; also attrib. or adj.
1846. Worcester cites Q. Rev. for Confucianist.
1862. R. H. Patterson, Ess. Hist. & Art, 406. Confucianism, the State and national creed, ignores idol worship altogether.
1878. J. H. Gray, China, I. iv. 97. Even Confucianists yielded to the fashionable mania.
1880. Legge, Relig. China, 4. I use the term Confucianism as covering, first of all the ancient religion of China, and then the views of the great philosopher himself in illustration or modification of it.
1884. Athenæum, 23 Feb., 244/1. The Confucianist philosophy.
