cainite

\\ˈkāˌnīt\ noun (-s)

Usage: usually capitalized

Etymology: Cain, son of Adam + English -ite — more at cain

1. : a descendant of Cain, one of the sons of Adam

2. [Late Latin Cainita, from Cain + Latin -ita -ite] : a member of a gnostic sect that regarded the Old Testament as an account of the work of a demiurge and a distortion of the true nature of such men as Cain, whom they honored

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/kay"nuyt/, n.

a member of a Gnostic sect that exalted Cain and regarded the God of the Old Testament as responsible for evil.

[ < ML Cainita (see CAIN, -ITE¹; cf. LL Caianus with same sense)]

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Cainˈite noun

1. A descendant of Cain

2. A member of a 2c sect of Gnostics who revered Cain and Judas

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Main Entry: ↑Cain