Pros"e*lyte (?), n. [OE. proselite, OF. proselite, F. proselytus, Gr. , adj., that has come, n., a new comer, especially, one who has come over from heathenism to the Jewish religion; toward, to + (prob.) the root of to come.]
A new convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan converted to Christianity, is a proselyte.
Ye [Scribes and Pharisees] compass sea and land to make one proselyte.
Matt. xxiii. 15.
Fresh confidence the speculatist takes
From every harebrained proselyte he makes.
Cowper.
Syn. -- See Convert.
© Webster 1913.
Pros"e*lyte, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proselyted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proselyting.]
To convert to some religion, opinion, or system; to bring over.
<-- se proselytize -->
Dr. H. More.
© Webster 1913.