[f. the Papal name Urban (see defs.) + -IST. Cf. F. Urbaniste in sense 2.]
1. An adherent of Pope Urban VI. (1378–89), the opponent of anti-pope Clement VII. rare.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccccxxx. 305 b. All the flemynges be as good Urbanystes as we be.
1855. Milman, Lat. Chr., VI. 17. As Clement’s party drew back, the Urbanists took up the cry.
2. A nun of a branch of the Poor Clares, following the rule as mitigated by Pope Urban IV. in 1264.
1687. Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., Urbanistes,… Vrbanists, a sort of Nuns.
1756–9. A. Butler, Lives Saints, B. Colette, She … took the habit of … the mitigated Clares, or Urbanists.
1806. Archaeol., XV. 93, note. They were also called Urbanists, from Pope Urban IV, who mitigated the rigour of their rules as originally drawn up by St. Francis.
1884. Catholic Dict., 667/1. The order [of nuns of St. Clare] was thus divided into two branches, the larger being known by the name of Urbanists, the latter by that of Clarisses.
