sb. (a.) R. C. Ch. Also 7 Tiatine, 7–9 Theatin. [ad. mod.L. theatīnus, f. Teate, ancient name of Chieti in Italy: see -INE1. So F. théatin, obs. It. theatíni pl. (Florio).] A member of a congregation or order of ‘regular clerks’ founded in 1524 by St. Cajetan in conjunction with John Peter Caraffa (till then Archbishop of Chieti, whence the name, and later Pope Paul IV.). A corresponding order of nuns was founded c. 1600.
1597–8. Bp. Hall, Sat., IV. vii. 32. Like to a false dissembling Theatine.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., X. 472. The Tiatines would twice a day visite mee.
1658. Phillips, Theatins.
1686. trans. Bouhours’ St. Ignatius, II. 136. The great correspondence which Ignatius held with Caraffa,… thence … the People in those times called Ignatius and his Companions, Theatins.
1736. Chandler, Hist. Persec., 291. Those who are to die have two monks or Theatins, as they call them, walking by them.
1889. Bridgett & Knox, Q. Eliz. & Cath. Hierarchy, ix. 215. The aim of the Theatines was the reformation of the secular clergy and the sanctification of the faithful.
b. as adj. Of or pertaining to the Theatines.
1693. trans. Emilianne’s Hist. Monast. Ord., xviii. 186. They had in some countries the name of Theatin Jesuits.
1885. Cath. Dict., 793/1. The Theatine nuns were founded by the B. Ursula Benincasa.
1903. Eng. Hist. Rev., April, 277. The terrible personality of the Theatine bishop.
