Also 6 caparnaite. [f. Capernaum a town of Galilee + -ITE.] An inhabitant of Capernaum; hence (with reference to John vi. 52) A controversial designation for a believer in transubstantiation.
Hence † Capernaitan sb., Capernaitic a., Capernaitical a., Capernaitically adv., † Capernaitish a., † Capernize v. (All frequent in the doctrinal polemics of the 16th & 17th c.)
1549. Ridley, Determ. Sacrament, Wks. (1841), 175. They which affirm transubstantiation are indeed right Sacramentaries and Capernaites.
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 217. To be Caparnaites.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 230. Calling them Capernaits and Carnall.
1661. S. Fisher, Spir. Verities Rev., Wks. (1679), 851. No High-climbing Capernaites … can ever soar high enough to enter.
1641. Milton, Animadv. (1851), 234. O race of Capernaitans … capable onely of loaves and belly-cheere!
1880. trans. Hagenbach’s Hist. Chr. Doctr., II. 338. Cardinal Humbert was carried so far by his violent zeal as to interpret the phrase in question [This is my body] in the grossest Capernaitic manner.
1882–3. Schaff, Relig. Encycl., III. 2368. The carnal Capernaitic misunderstanding.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1684), II. 7/2. The absurd, gross, and Capernaitical opinion of the new Schoolmen.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 192. They will admit of [no] other then a grosse capernaiticall sence.
1640. Sir E. Dering, Proper Sacrif. (1644), 41. Forbear, forbear this carnall barbarisme of eating our Saviours body thus Capernaitically.
1643. Herle, Answ. Ferne, 7. A Capernaitish following the King for loaves.
1624. Darcie, Birth of Heresies, xxi. 98. Did he determen we should hereby Capernize & Nicodemize, to enquire, or make doubt of Gods power…?
