[f. Tatian (name of a Christian apologist of the 2nd century, who afterwards became a Gnostic) + -IST.] A follower of Tatian; a member of the ascetic sect of Encratites; also incorrectly Tatian in same sense. So Tatianic a., of or pertaining to Tatian, or to his DIATESSARON or harmony of the Gospels.
1585–7. T. Rogers, 39 Art. vi. (1628), 32. Some accepted onely the Acts of the Apostles, as the Tatians.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., III. (1630), 60. Heretiques as the Tatians,… teaching against Marriage.
1754–8. Bp. Newton, Obs. Dan., xiii. 200. The mystery of iniquity continued to work very strongly in … the Tatianists.
1790. Maclaine, trans. Mosheim’s Eccl. Hist., I. II. II. v. § 9. 222. He had a great number of followers, who were, after him, called Tatianists, but were, nevertheless, more frequently distinguished from other sects by names relative to the austerity of their manners.
1862. G. H. Tounsend, Man. of Dates, s.v. Encratites, Tatian flourished about A. D. 173. His followers were called in addition to Encratites, Tatianists, Apotactites, and Hydroparastates.
1895. F. H. Chase, Syro-Latin Text of the Gospels, 129. Harmonistic readings involve coincidence with the Tatianic order of the narrative.
1907. Moffat in Expositor, July, 62. The Tatianic arrangement reflects the original order [of the N. T. books].
