1. Plural of historicist; people who believe that historical events are determined by historical forces and that history follows discoverable laws or patterns.
Usage: academic; philosophy
2. Plural of historicist; scholars or critics who interpret texts, artworks, or ideas primarily through their historical context and period.
Usage: literary criticism; art history

Examples

• Historicists argue that we cannot understand a novel without knowing the social conditions of its time.
• Some historicists believe that all human behavior is shaped by historical circumstances.
• Literary historicists focus on how historical events influenced the authors they study.
• The debate between historicists and universalists continues in philosophy departments.
• Historicists reject the idea that timeless truths exist independent of historical context.