Jacobin

[ jak-uh-bin ]

noun

1. (in the French Revolution) a member of a radical society or club of revolutionaries that promoted the Reign of Terror and other extreme measures, active chiefly from 1789 to 1794: so called from the Dominican convent in Paris, where they originally met.
2. an extreme radical, especially in politics.
3. a Dominican friar.
4. (lowercase) one of a fancy breed of domestic pigeons having neck feathers that hang over the head like a hood.

Jacobin

/ ˈdʒækəbɪn /

noun

1. a member of the most radical club founded during the French Revolution, which overthrew the Girondists in 1793 and, led by Robespierre, instituted the Reign of Terror
2. a leftist or extreme political radical
3. a French Dominican friar
4. sometimes not capital a variety of fancy pigeon with a hood of feathers swept up over and around the head

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or relating to the Jacobins or their policies

Derived Forms

• ˈJacobinism, noun
• ˌJacoˈbinically, adverb
• ˌJacoˈbinic, adjective

Other Words From

• Jaco·binic Jaco·bini·cal adjective
• Jaco·bin·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jacobin¹

1275–1325; Middle English Jacobin < Old French ( frere ) jacobin < Medieval Latin ( frater ) Jacōbinus. See Jacob, -in ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jacobin¹

C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin Jacōbīnus, from Late Latin Jacōbus James; applied to the Dominicans, from the proximity of the church of St Jacques (St James) to their first convent in Paris; the political club originally met in the convent in 1789

Example Sentences

Reviewing Rooney’s novel for the magazine Jacobin, Amelia Ayrelan Iuvino asserts that though it isn’t fiction’s job to provide political solutions, we can still be mobilized by the existential despair of Rooney’s characters.

From Outside Online

The government crushed a Jacobin revolt in May 1795 as well as another triggered by royalist sympathizers that October — this time, with the help of the young general Napoleon Bonaparte.

From Washington Post

There was a chance that he could have been arrested as well for his Jacobin tendencies.

From The Daily Beast

The Turkish history of imposed Jacobin Secularism ended up creating virtual segregation against observant Muslims.

From The Daily Beast

On Park Avenue, beards are about as rare as readers of Jacobin.

From The Daily Beast

Babeuf and Darthe, the principal leaders were secured and executed, which completely crushed the Jacobin power.

From Project Gutenberg

At Stettin, during the armistice, he entered the fortress and tried to seduce the governor, an ex-Jacobin and erstwhile friend.

From Project Gutenberg

But though he made his submission, again and again his Jacobin principles made themselves felt.

From Project Gutenberg

But Napoleon knew his man and his price: a Marshal's bton and a princely income did much to control his Jacobin proclivities.

From Project Gutenberg

In his own opinion no better agent could have been found in the rle of a stern, unbending republican and fiery Jacobin.

From Project Gutenberg