Scho*las"tic , n.
1. One who
adheres to the method or subtilties of the schools.
Milton.
2. (R. C. Ch.) See the Note under Jesuit.
Scho*las"tic (?), a. [L. scholasticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to have leisure, to give lectures, to keep a school, from &?; leisure, a lecture, a school: cf. F. scholastique,
scolastique. See School.]
1. Pertaining to, or suiting, a scholar, a school, or schools; scholarlike; as, scholastic manners or pride; scholastic learning. Sir K. Digby.
2. Of or pertaining to the schoolmen and divines of the Middle Ages (see Schoolman); as, scholastic divinity or theology; scholastic philosophy. Locke.
3. Hence, characterized by excessive subtilty, or needlessly minute subdivisions; pedantic; formal.