arch. [f. CONVERT v. or sb. + -ITE. Common in 17th c., and revived in 19th, esp. in sense 1.]
1. A professed convert to a religious faith.
c. 1592. Marlowe, Jew of Malta, I. ii. Fern. Why, Barabas, wilt thou be christened? Bara. No, governor, I will be no convertite.
1619. Fletcher, M. Thomas, II. iii. Tho. A much converted man. Hyl. A sound Convertite.
1624. Heywood, Gunaik., VI. 271. Philip did often sollicite and exhort him to leaue his Iudaisme and be a conuertite, and turne to the Christian religion.
1839. Blackw. Mag., XLVI. 718. With all the zeal of a new convertite.
1890. Ch. Times, 23 May, 509/2. The devotion of so many Roman clergy … among these convertites, to the service of the poor.
b. transf. One converted to an opinion, party, etc.
1598. Tofte, Alba (1880), 119. A Convertite, from Vaine Love now I part.
1631. H. Shirley, Mart. Souldier, III. iii., in Bullen, O. Pl., I. 215. The happy day in which Bellina prov’d to love a Convertite.
1886. Sat. Rev., 5 June, 763/1. The late convertites to Home Rule.
2. A person converted to a religious life, or to an approved course of action. arch. or Obs.
1595. Shaks., John, V. i. 19. But since you are a gentle conuertite, My tongue shall hush againe this storme of warre. Ibid. (1600), A. Y. L., V. iv. 190. Out of these conuertites, There is much matter to be heard, and learn’d.
1605. Narr. Murthers Sir J. Fitz (1860), 7. Yet can I not excuse him in this his exile for a penitent convertite.
1627. Feltham, Resolves (1647), 355. How many vile men seeking these, have found themselves convertites.
1868. Dixon, Spir. Wives, II. 54. Who and what this man is … theologian, preacher, sinner, convertite and saint.
3. spec. A reformed Magdalen. arch.
1565. Jewel, Def. Apol. (1611), 344. If they turne and repent, there are houses called Monasteries of the Conuertites, and special prouision and discipline for them, where they are taught how to bewaile their vnchaste life so sinfully past ouer.
1631. Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., 646. This Church was built by a female conuertite, to expiate and make satisfaction for her former sinnes; and … was called Hore-Church at the first.
a. 1704. R. L’Estrange, Colloq. Erasm. (1711), 134. Several of the Convent (which they call Convertites) were constantly with me.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., II. 1198. Herself along with those good Convertites, Those sinners saved, those Magdalens remade.
