subs. (old).—A parson; spec. a prosy preacher.
1693. CONGREVE, The Old Bachelor, i. 1. SPINTEXT! Oh, the fanatic one-eyed parson.
d. 1704. T. BROWN, Works, ii. 236. Mr. SPINTEXT the preacher, or Mr. Lovelady the chaplain.
c. 1712. WARD, Works (1718), iii. ‘The Young Libertine’s Answer to his Uncle.’ I … cannot but believe you have been at the Expence of imploying some superannuated SPINTEXT, to rattle off your poor Nephew for taking a little Juvenile Recreation.
1788. V. KNOX, Winter Evenings, ix. The race of formal SPINTEXTS, and solemn saygraces is nearly extinct.
