Difference between colonizer, colonist, and colonialist

[learnerAF]

What distinguishes the terms colonizer, colonist, and colonialist, if there is a difference? And which one of these terms could be used to describe the British in the context of the British Raj?

 

[emsr2d2]

Have you looked all three words up in several good dictionaries? If so, tell us what you found (and the source). If not, please do so.

 

[Rover_KE]

Click here for a start, and bookmark the site for future reference.