a. [See -ICAL.]
1. Of or pertaining to the Jesuits; belonging to the Society of Jesus; Jesuit.
1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 230. The most dangerous infections, and … irremedilesse poyson of the Iesuiticall doctrine.
1647. Mass. Col. Rec. (1854), III. 112. The secrit practises of those of the Jesuiticall order.
1748. Anson’s Voy., III. x. 413. The behaviour of the Magistrates … at Canton, sufficiently refutes these jesuitical fictions.
1837. Hallam, Hist. Lit., III. iv. § 14. Productions so little regarded as those of the jesuitical casuists.
2. Having the character ascribed to the Jesuits; deceitful, dissembling; practising equivocation, prevarication, or mental reservation of truth.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 530. Easie it may be indeed to seared Iesuiticall Consciences, that account Treason Religion.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl., 13 July. All which Mr. Lismahago answered with a sort of jesuitical reserve.
1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit., II. xxiii. 288. The low cunning and Jesuitical trick with which she deludes her husband.
1871. Smiles, Charac., vii. (1876), 207. Their jesuitical cleverness in equivocation.
