a person who adheres to the teachings of apocalyptic literature concerning the signs and events preceding the end of the world
3.
a person who holds to any teachings that predict a catastrophic end to the world
Word origin
[1825–35; apocalypt(ic) + -ist]This word is first recorded in the period 1825–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: archaic, cross section, panda, structural, torque-ist is a suffix of nouns, often corresponding to verbs ending in -ize or nouns ending in -ism, that denote a person who practices or is concerned with something, or holds certainprinciples, doctrines, etc. Other words that use the affix -ist include: Thomist, apologist, dramatist, novelist, realist