a. and sb. [f. the name of the political theorist Thomas Spence (1750–1814).] A. adj. Of or pertaining to Thomas Spence or his views.
1817. Castlereagh, in Parl. Deb., 280. To trace these Hampden and Spencean clubs through all their bearings. Ibid. The great mass received the Spencean doctrines among them.
1866. Charnock, Verba Nom., 287. Spencean System, a plan … by which the human kind could be provided with sustenance without pauperism.
B. sb. A follower of Thomas Spence.
1817. W. Ponsonby, in Parl. Deb., 286. Those foolish and criminal people called the Spenceans.
1817. Coleridge, ‘Blessed are ye,’ 132. The poor visionaries called Spenceans.
