Eccl. Hist. [f. med.L. Ascītæ, a. Gr. Ἀσκῖται, f. ἀσκός wine-skin: see -ITE, -AN.] A member of a heretical sect in the second century, who used to dance round an inflated wine-skin, in reference to Matt. ix. 17.
1727–51. in Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Ascitæ.
