Early 19th century; earliest use found in The Gentleman's Magazine. From ancient Greek πολεμιστής warrior from πολεμίζειν to wage war, fight + -τής, suffix forming agent nouns.
Definition of polemist in US English:
polemist
noun
Polemicist.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The Gentleman's Magazine. From ancient Greek πολεμιστής warrior from πολεμίζειν to wage war, fight + -τής, suffix forming agent nouns.