hicksite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Obsolete/Historical)Historical, Religious/Denominational
Quick answer
What does “hicksite” mean?
A member of a liberal branch of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the 19th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a liberal branch of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the 19th century.
A member of a doctrinal faction within American Quakerism historically associated with the teachings of Elias Hicks, emphasizing the 'Inward Light' over scriptural authority and historic Christian doctrines. The term can also refer broadly to this tradition and its followers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British usage, the term is extremely rare and only used in specialized historical/religious studies of American movements. In American usage, it is a standard term in the history of American religion and Quaker studies.
Connotations
Historically carried connotations of theological liberalism, anti-creedalism, and emphasis on personal revelation within the Quaker context. No modern derogatory sense related to 'hick'.
Frequency
Exclusively American in historical origin and primary usage. Frequency is negligible in both regions outside academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hicksite” in a Sentence
The [Noun Phrase] was/were Hicksite.The Hicksite [Noun Phrase] believed...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hicksite” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The historical schism produced Hicksite and Orthodox meetings.
American English
- She researches Hicksite theology in 19th-century Baltimore.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, and American studies contexts to denote a specific Quaker faction.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Term of art in Quaker historiography and denominational taxonomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hicksite”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hicksite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hicksite”
- Using it as a general insult (confusion with 'hick').
- Mispronouncing it with a long 'i' (/haɪksaɪt/).
- Assuming it is a contemporary term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only etymologically. Both derive from the surname 'Hick' (a medieval variant of 'Richard'). 'Hicksite' comes specifically from the surname of Elias Hicks. The derogatory term 'hick' developed separately.
The formal 'Hicksite' label is historical. The theological tradition continued and influenced liberal, unprogrammed Quakerism in bodies like the Friends General Conference, but modern adherents are simply called 'Friends' or 'Quakers'.
It is pronounced /ˈhɪkˌsaɪt/ (HICK-site), with stress on the first syllable.
Historically, the opposite was an 'Orthodox' or 'Gurneyite' Quaker, who emphasized evangelical doctrines and scriptural authority more strongly.
A member of a liberal branch of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the 19th century.
Hicksite is usually historical, religious/denominational in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Hicks-ite: Think of 'Elias Hicks' + '-ite' (meaning follower of). A follower of Hicks's teachings.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCHISM IS A SPLIT/BRANCH (e.g., the Hicksite branch of Quakerism).
Practice
Quiz
What was a central theological tenet of Hicksite Quakerism?