The Jacobin Club was the most famous political club of the French Revolution. So called from the Dominican convent, where they originally met, in the Rue St. Jacques, Paris. At that time, the term was popularly applied to all supporters of revolutionary opinions. In contemporary France it refers to the concept of a centralized Republic, with power concentrated in the national government, at the expense of local or regional governments.
Prioritizing one's own cleverness over intellectual (or spiritual) growth and substance. Derived from the biblical figure of Jacob, who is portrayed as a trickster and reprobate in the earlier days of his life.
Instead of reading the assigned material, Robert employed the age-old practice of Jacobating in order to reach the minimum word count on his essay.