[f. L. Jacōb-us James (see JACOB) + -ITE.]
A. sb. An adherent of James II. of England after his abdication, or of his son the Pretender; a partisan or supporter of the Stuarts after the Revolution of 1688.
1689. E. Bohun (title), The Doctrine of Non-Resistance or Passive Obedience; No way concerned in the Controversies now depending between the Williamites, and the Jacobites.
1690. Luttrell, Brief Rel., April (1857), II. 36. A private form of prayers is printed here, used amongst the Jacobites, for King James in his afflictions.
1736. Bolingbroke, Patriot. (1749), 169. Every Jacobite at this time … is a rebel to the constitution under which he is born.
1814. Scott, Wav., xxix. The sanguine Jacobites, during the eventful years 1745–6, kept up the spirits of their party by the rumour of descents from France.
B. adj. † 1. Pertaining to James I. of England; in Jacobite piece = JACOBUS. Obs.
1611. in Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1849), I. 147. There is speech of finding some little remedy, by raising gold,… the angel and sovereign to eleven shillings, and the Jacobite piece to two and twenty.
2. Of or pertaining to the adherents of James II. and his family: see A.
1692. Song, in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 320. At Kingsland near the City There met a Jacobite crew.
1697. J. Dennis (title), A Plot and no Plot, or Jacobite Credulity; a Comedy.
1788. H. Walpole, in Walpoliana, xix. 10. Atterbury was nothing more or less than a Jacobite priest.
1892. Guardian, 10 Feb., 184/2. On Monday, the Marquis de Ruvigny placed on the spikes of the gate at Westminster Abbey a wreath with the following inscription ‘In memory of the martyrdom of Mary … from the Legitimist Jacobite League.’
Hence Jacobitely adv.
1706. Hearne, Collect., 7 May (O. H. S.), I. 241. He was … look’d upon as Jacobitely inclin’d.
