ecclesiastical history, a branch of the ancient Arians, consisting, according to Epiphanius, of such as, in appearance, condemned the errors of that heresiarach, but yet acquiesced in some of the principles thereof, only palliating and hiding them under softer and more moderate terms. Though they separated from the Arian faction (see Arians), they could never be brought to acknowledge that the Son was homoousios, that is, consubstantial, or of the same substance with the Father; they would only allow him to be homoeousios, that is, of a like substance with the Father, or similar to the Father in his essence, not by nature, but by a peculiar privilege.

The semi-arianism of the moderns consists in their maintaining that the Son was from all eternity begotten by the will of the Father contrary to the doctrine of the orthodox, who seem to teach that the eternal generation is necessary. Such at least are the respective opinions of Dr Clarke and Bishop Bull. See THEOLOGY.