Definitions

1. verb

to adapt or apply the principles of Baruch Spinoza or the 17th-century Dutch philosopher and theologian Bernard Mandeville, especially in a way that is considered to be overly extreme or radical.

“The philosopher’s critics accused him of trying to jansenize the entire curriculum with his unorthodox views.”

2. verb

to make something resemble or be associated with the style or principles of Jansenism, a 17th- and 18th-century Catholic movement emphasizing moral rigor and asceticism.

“The artist’s new work was accused of jansenizing the otherwise playful atmosphere of the museum.”