I. -_nə̇st noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from Middle French humaniste, from Latin humanus + Middle French -iste -ist
1.
a. : a person who pursues the study of the humanities
accused by humanists of having an exclusive interest in social sciences — Publ's Mod. Lang. Association of American
called for a greater understanding between scientists and humanists — Science
b. : an adherent or practitioner of Renaissance humanism ; specifically : a Renaissance scholar devoting himself to the study of classical letters
2. : a person who is devoted to human welfare : one who is marked by a strong interest in or concern for man : humanitarian
a humanist , a lover of all sorts of people — Yale Review
a humanist , who felt deeply about inequality … wherever he saw it — Max Lerner
3.
a. often capitalized : a person who subscribes to the doctrines of scientific humanism ; specifically : a member of a religious society or cult subscribing to such doctrines
b. : a person who subscribes to a form of philosophical humanism
c. : new humanist
II. adjective
or hu·man·is·tic | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|nistik, -tēk
1.
a. : of or relating to Renaissance humanism or humanists
the humanistic revival of learning
b. : of, relating to, or concerned with the humanities : cultural
the fact that humanistic subjects … have a part in the development of the students — Science
Greek … the most exacting humanist study — Robert Birley
2. : of or relating to philosophical or religious humanism in any of its forms
what we need is a humanistic religion … man-centered and comfortable — R.C.Hartnett
supernaturalist and humanist strategies of motivation — K.D.Burke
the humanist belief in continuous emergent evolution — Wendell Thomas
3. : marked by or expressive of devotion to human welfare or strong interest in or concern for man : humanitarian
the liberal approach has been a humanist approach — M.W.Straight
incorporate the socialist idealism of Russia with the humanist individualism of America — Cyril Connolly
respect and humanistic regard for all other members of our species — Weston La Barre