Obs. [f. ELATER1 + -IST.] One who explains certain phenomena as due to the ‘elatery’ or elasticity of the air.
1661. Boyle, Spring of Air, I. ii. (1682), 3. His Adversaries (whom for brevities sake we will venture to call Elaterists).
1674. [M. Hale], Difficiles Nugæ, 237. The Gravitation and Elasticity of the Air, invented by the modern Elaterists.
1708. in Kersey.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
