\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.