[a. F. casuiste (Sp. casuista, It. casista), f. L. cāsu-s case: see -IST.] A theologian (or other person) who studies and resolves cases of conscience or doubtful questions regarding duty and conduct. (Often with a sinister application: see CASUISTRY.)
1609. B. Jonson, Sil. Wom., IV. v. (1616), 576. To talke with a Casuist about his diuorce.
a. 1661. Holyday, Juvenal (1673), Pref. to Rdr. 4. Like an exact Casuist (Sat. 13.) does he not make Conscience Man’s Keeper and Judge?
1663. Cowley, Cutter Colem. St., III. v. Like cunning Casuists as all Lovers are.
a. 1668. Denham, Progr. Learning, 118. Casuists, like cocks, struck out each other’s eyes.
1732. Pope, Ep. Bathurst, 2. Who shall decide, when Doctors disagree And soundest Casuists doubt, like you and me?
1836. Penny Cycl., VI. 359/1.
1836. H. Rogers, J. Howe, iii. (1863), 71. Provided we state a real reason … it is agreed by all casuists, that we are not bound to state every reason.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 566. Casuists willing and competent to sooth his conscience with sophisms.
Hence † Casuist v., to play the casuist; Casuistess, a female casuist; † Casuistly adv., according to the principles of casuists.
1643. Milton, Divorce, II. xx. (1851), 119. We never leave subtilizing and casuisting.
1650. B., Discolliminium, 7. He saith,… uncasuistly or unconscientiously asserted.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., v. (1875), 219. No casuistess in the Gay Science was she.
