a. (and sb.). [f. prec. + -IC.]
1. Of or pertaining to, characterized by, philosophical or theological spiritualism; of the nature of spiritualism.
1852. A. P. Forbes, Explan. Nicene Creed, 47. Spiritualistic Pantheism, introduced by Hegel, has still many followers.
1871. Alabaster, Wheel of Law, p. lvi. The Malays, being Mahometans, ought … to have shown the superior civilisation due to spiritualistic belief.
1881. Huxley, in Nature, XXIV. 344. The subtle thinker, to whom we owe both the spiritualistic and the materialistic philosophies of modern times.
2. Of or pertaining to, associated or connected with, modern spiritualism; spiritistic.
1865. Athenæum, 18 Nov., 684/3. In his restlessness and perplexity he has recourse to a spiritualistic medium.
1875. E. White, Life in Christ, III. xxi. (1878), 300. If this was true under the Mosaic Law how much more emphatically must spiritualistic ‘seeking to the dead’ be an abomination now!
1882. Hinsdale, Garfield & Educ., I. 79. An itinerant spiritualistic and scientific lecturer and debater.
b. sb. pl. Matters pertaining to spiritualism.
1886. Tupper, My Life as Author, 387. If we dare to do this, higher interests are endangered than spiritualistics.
Hence Spiritualistically adv., by a spiritualist or by means of spiritualism; towards spiritualism.
1880. Times, 27 Sept., 12/2. Professing the same [pills] to be spiritualistically prescribed for the cure of … neuralgia.
1891. Sat. Rev., 28 Feb., 272/1. The cupidity and credulity of a spiritualistically minded valet.
