[f. med.L. joviniānista, f. Joviniān-us Jovinian: see -IST.] A follower or adherent of Jovinian, a Milanese monk in the end of the 4th century, who denied the virginity of Mary, opposed certain forms of celibacy and asceticism, and maintained the equality of all sins, rewards and punishments. Also attrib.
1864. in Webster.
1874. J. H. Blunt, Dict. Sects, s.v., Augustine states that the Jovinianist heresy was quickly extinguished.
1882. J. Ll. Davies, in Dict. Chr. Biog., III. 465/2. It is … stated that the emperor [Theodosius] ‘execrated’ the impiety of the Jovinianists.
So Jovinian = prec.; Jovinianish a.
1585–7. T. Rogers, 39 Art. (1607), 277. Being once baptized, we can no more be tempted, as thought the Jovinians.
1614. Bp. Hall, No Peace with Rome, xiii. in Recoll. Treat. (1615), 867. The monkes of Burdeaux … haue vpbrayded vs with the opinion of a certaine Stoicall and Iouinianish parity of sinnes.
