Obs. Also 7 symist. [ad. late L. symmysta (Jerome), med.L. symmista, symmystēs (Apuleius), colleague in the priesthood, ad. Gr. συμμύστης fellow-initiate, f. σύν SYM- + μύστης one initiated into mysteries: cf. MYST. The unetymological but more frequent spelling with i, already found in med.L., is due to association with words in -IST.] a. An associate in a ‘mystery,’ i.e., a secret belief or practice; a fellow-initiate. b. A colleague in a sacred office.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 474. All the Easterne wise men beleeued the transmigration of spirites … and insinuated so much to their symmists and disciples.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., 180. The sacred Symists of his Religion, are especially to be honoured: Some examples of this also I mean to produce, that their follies may … appear, who would detract due honour from the sacred Ministers of Almighty God.
a. 1680. Glanvill, Sadducismus, I. (1726), 63. One of the … most religious Symmysts of that stupendious secret of Nullibism.
a. 1693. Urquhart’s Rabelais, III. xlviii. 391. The other Mole catching Symmists [orig. les Symmystes taulpetiers].
