Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Jesuit \Jes"u*it\, n. [F. J['e]suite, Sp. Jesuita: cf. It.
   Gesuita.]
   1. (R. C. Ch.) One of a religious order founded by Ignatius
      Loyola, and approved in 1540, under the title of The
      Society of Jesus.

   Note: The order consists of Scholastics, the Professed, the
         Spiritual Coadjutors, and the Temporal Coadjutors or
         Lay Brothers. The Jesuit novice after two years becomes
         a Scholastic, and takes his first vows of poverty,
         chastity, and obedience simply. Some years after, at
         the close of a second novitiate, he takes his second
         vows and is ranked among the Coadjutors or Professed.
         The Professed are bound by a fourth vow, from which
         only the pope can dispense, requiring them to go
         wherever the pope may send them for missionary duty.
         The Coadjutors teach in the schools, and are employed
         in general missionary labors. The Society is governed
         by a General who holds office for life. He has
         associated with him ``Assistants'' (five at the present
         time), representing different provinces. The Society
         was first established in the United States in 1807. The
         Jesuits have displayed in their enterprises a high
         degree of zeal, learning, and skill, but, by their
         enemies, have been generally reputed to use art and
         intrigue in promoting or accomplishing their purposes,
         whence the words Jesuit, Jesuitical, and the like, have
         acquired an opprobrious sense.

   2. Fig.: A crafty person; an intriguer.

   {Jesuits' bark}, Peruvian bark, or the bark of certain
      species of {Cinchona}; -- so called because its medicinal
      properties were first made known in Europe by Jesuit
      missionaries to South America.

   {Jesuits' drops}. See {Friar's balsam}, under {Friar}.

   {Jesuits' nut}, the European water chestnut.

   {Jesuits' powder}, powdered cinchona bark.

   {Jesuits' tea}, a Chilian leguminous shrub, used as a tea and
      medicinally.