Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Disciple \Dis*ci"ple\, n. [OE. disciple, deciple, OF. disciple,
fr. L. discipulus, fr. discere to learn (akin to docere to
teach; see {Docile}) + prob. a root meaning to turn or drive,
as in L. pellere to drive (see {Pulse}).]
One who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a
learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe in
the truth of the doctrine of his teacher; an adherent in
doctrine; as, the disciples of Plato; the disciples of our
Savior.
{The disciples}, or {The twelve disciples}, the twelve
selected companions of Jesus; -- also called {the
apostles}.
{Disciples of Christ}. See {Christian}, n., 3, and
{Campbellite}.
Syn: Learner; scholar; pupil; follower; adherent.
Christian \Chris"tian\, n. [L. christianus, Gr. ?; cf. AS.
cristen. See {Christ}.]
1. One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe,
in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by Him;
especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed
to the doctrines of Christ.
The disciples were called Christians first in
Antioch. --Acts xi. 26.
2. One born in a Christian country or of Christian parents,
and who has not definitely becomes an adherent of an
opposing system.
3. (Eccl.)
(a) One of a Christian denomination which rejects human
creeds as bases of fellowship, and sectarian names.
They are congregational in church government, and
baptize by immersion. They are also called {Disciples
of Christ}, and {Campbellites}.
(b) One of a sect (called {Christian Connection}) of
open-communion immersionists. The Bible is their only
authoritative rule of faith and practice.
Note: In this sense, often pronounced, but not by the members
of the sects, kr[=i]s"chan.
Source : WordNet®
Disciples of Christ
n : a Protestant church that accepts the Bible as the only
source of true Christian faith and practices baptism by
immersion [syn: {Christian Church}]