Adventists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of Protestant Christians who await the Second Coming of Christ, emphasizing the importance of the Sabbath and a unique understanding of biblical prophecy
2. Members of a Christian denomination known for its emphasis on the imminent return of Jesus and adherence to Saturday as the Sabbath day
3. Followers of a faith that interprets scripture with a focus on eschatology, emphasizing health, education, and community service in preparation for Christ's return

Etymology: Adventists take their name from "advent", the Latin "adventus" meaning "arrival" or "coming", which in Christian usage refers to the expected return of Christ. The Latin noun comes from "advenire", "to arrive", built from "ad-" ("to") and "venire" ("to come"), the same root that gives English "venue" and "convene". The suffix "-ist" has its own long trail. It passed through Latin "-ista", which borrowed it from Greek "-istēs", used to form agent nouns for people who practise or follow something. Old French carried it into Middle English, where it became a productive way to name adherents of a doctrine or practice, and English speakers kept adding it to new words. Put together, "Adventist" means a follower of the doctrine of Christ's coming. The word names a religious movement rather than a single event, so its meaning rests on the belief that the second coming is imminent, not on the Latin "arrival" alone.

Synonyms: believers, followers, Christians

Antonyms: nonbelievers, atheists