[a. Gr. ἐκκλησιαστής; see prec.] The title of a book of the old Testament, written in the person of Solomon, and traditionally ascribed to his authorship.
(Properly the Gr. title is the designation of Solomon considered as the author of the book, and is occas. so used by Eng. writers, though in the text of the book the Eng. versions render the corresponding Heb. word as ‘The Preacher.’)
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8464. [Of Salamon] þe first boke Man it clepes ecclesiastes.
1382. Wyclif, Eccles., Prol. note. Here gynneth the prologe in the boc of Ecclesiastes.
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 9. But Salomon in his Ecclesiastes pleaseth not M. Heskins.
1641. Hinde, J. Bruen, Ded. 1. [Salomon] was both an Ecclesiastes, and a King.
