Basic Guidelines For English Spellings
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1A person who believes that the eschatological prophecies of the Bible were fulfilled in the first cent. (or the first two, three, or four centuries) a.d.
2A person whose chief interest is in the past; a person who favours the past or past beliefs.
Of or relating to the belief that the eschatological prophecies of the Bible have already been fulfilled.
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in George Faber (1773–1854), Church of England clergyman and religious writer. From preter- + -ist.