[f. TEMPORAL a.1 + -ISM.]
1. The spirit of ‘the world’ (as opposed to a religious spirit); secularism; addiction to temporal or mundane interests.
1854. J. Smith, Divine Drama, IV. i. 401. The central nation should have no national independent church of its own; for, if it had, it could not thoroughly represent the character and tendency of pure temporalism.
1872. Dublin Rev., Jan., 10. Exhibition of the evil spirit which we have called ‘temporalism,’ in that hatred of restraint and subordination.
1897. N. York Voice, 16 Sept., 3/1. He … takes leave of animalism, temporalism, provincialism, and becomes consciously a son of God.
2. The principle of the temporal power of the Pope.
1899. Spectator, 7 Jan., 15. This war, which is not the warfare, nor in the interest, of the Roman Catholic Church, but of temporalism, is carrid into every field where intolerant Catholicism has any power.
So Temporalist, one who maintains or supports the temporal power of the Pope.
1901. Mission. Record U. F. Ch. Scot., June, 272/1. The next Pope will be a strong Temporalist.
