[f. Gr. σῶμα, σώματ- body, SOMA2 + -IST.]
† 1. A materialist. Obs.
1676. Glanvill, Ess. Philos. & Relig., IV. 33. The name and notion of such Somatists, as are for meer Matter and Motion, and exclude immaterial Beings.
1694. R. Burthogge, Reason, 201. What will … [a] meer Somatist say to the Corps-Candles, or Dead Mens Lights, in Wales?
2. attrib. Pertaining to, connected with, the soma.
1908. Outlook, 5 Sept., 298/1. The issue between the somatist or ‘mnemic’ theory, as presented by Mr. Darwin and the doctrines of Weismannism.
