Erasmus, Desiderius
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishErasmus, DesideriusDesiderius ErasmusErasmus, Desiderius (1466–1536) a Catholic Christian writer, teacher and priest, born in the Netherlands. He believed that the Catholic Church should become more simple, and that people should have a clearer understanding of the New Testament. His ideas had an important influence and helped to start the Reformation