Dunsman

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A supporter of the medieval philosopher John Duns Scotus and his scholastic teachings ; a foolish or slow-witted person, a term of mockery derived from the same root as dunce
2. A disciple of the medieval scholar Duns Scotus and his school of thought ; an old derogatory label for a dull, obtuse person who is considered slow to learn
3. One who follows the doctrines of the scholastic thinker Duns Scotus ; a contemptuous word for a stupid or dim-witted individual

Etymology: John Duns Scotus was a Scottish philosopher and theologian whose subtle, densely argued work was studied across medieval Europe. His followers, the Scotists, took his name, and in English they became "Dunsmen," a label that was rarely meant as praise. Renaissance humanists, who prized elegant classical Latin and clear argument, found the Scotist method of fine logical distinctions tedious and mocked it. Their scorn turned the name into a term of contempt for a follower who was obstinate, hair-splitting or dull. That contempt is why the name survives today mainly in "dunce," which descends from the same mockery of Duns's disciples.