Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Jacobin
1.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A Dominican friar; – so named because, before the French Revolution, that order had a convent in the
Rue St. Jacques
, Paris
. 2.
One of a society of violent agitators in France, during the revolution of 1789, who held secret meetings in the Jacobin convent in the
Rue St. Jacques
, Paris
, and concerted measures to control the proceedings of the National Assembly. Hence:
A plotter against an existing government; a turbulent demagogue. 3.
(Zool.)
A fancy pigeon, in which the feathers of the neck form a hood, – whence the name. The wings and tail are long, and the beak moderately short.
Webster 1828 Edition
Jacobin
JAC'OBIN
,Noun.
The Jacobins, in France, during the late revolution, were a society of violent revolutionists, who held secret meetings in which measures were concerted to direct the proceedings of the National Assembly. Hence, a Jacobin is the member of a club, or other person, who opposes government in a secret and unlawful manner or by violent means; a turbulent demagogue.