Theatine

[ thee-uh-tin, -tahyn, -teen ]

noun

1. a member of a congregation of regular clerics, founded in Italy in 1524 to combat Protestantism and promote higher morality among Roman Catholics.
2. a member of a congregation of nuns, founded in Italy in 1583 under the direction of the Theatine fathers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Theatine¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, Theatine is from the New Latin word Theatēnus of Chieti, Italy, where one of the founders held the archbishopric

Example Sentences

Paul the Fourth brought to the papal throne the same fervent zeal which had carried him into the Theatine convent.

From Project Gutenberg