I. -myənə̇st, chiefly in substand speech -m(ə)n- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French communiste, from commun + -iste -ist
1.
a. : one who believes in or adheres to a theory of communism or communal living
the principle from which the communists started was the Christian belief, widespread through the middle ages, that common possession was a more perfect way of life than private ownership — G.H.Sabine
b. : one who practices communism : one living in a society in which goods are owned in common
more rigid sectarians living as communists
2. : communard
3. usually capitalized
[Russian kommunist, from German, from French communiste ]
a. : a member of a Communist party or movement ; especially : an official member paying dues and carrying a party membership card — compare bolshevik
b. : one who consistently adheres to, supports, or aids a Communist government, party, or movement and opposes all others
c. : one who holds to notions or engages in activities conceived to be violently left-wing, subversive, or revolutionary — used rhetorically in political denigration
it was a common habit of the East European dictatorships to denounce as Communists all who resolutely criticized social and political abuses — Economist
their definition of a Communist is a man who wants reforms — Elmer Davis
Synonyms: see collectivist
II. adjective
1. : of or relating to communism : marked by communal living : adhering to or favoring communism
a communist community where possessions were commonly owned
a communist philosophy from ancient times
2. usually capitalized
a. : of or relating to a Communist party : composed of or participated in by Communists
a Communist newspaper
a Communist government
a Communist plot
b. : advocating, aiding, or furthering Communism
a Communist sympathizer