gnostic [nos-tik] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for gnostic on Thesaurus.com adjective Also gnos·ti·cal.
- pertaining to knowledge.
- possessing knowledge, especially esoteric knowledge of spiritual matters.
- (initial capital letter) pertaining to or characteristic of the Gnostics.
noun
- (initial capital letter) a member of any of certain sects among the early Christians who claimed to have superior knowledge of spiritual matters, and explained the world as created by powers or agencies arising as emanations from the Godhead.
Origin of gnostic 1555–65; Late Latin Gnōsticī (plural) name of the sect Greek gnōstikós (singular) pertaining to knowledge, equivalent to gnōst(ós) known + -ikos -ic Related formsgnos·ti·cal·ly, adverban·ti·gnos·tic, adjective, nounan·ti·gnos·ti·cal, adjectiveun·gnos·tic, adjective -gnostic
Origin of -gnostic Medieval Latin -gnōsticus Greek gnōstikós pertaining to knowledge Related Words for gnostic knowing, penetrating, wise, intuitive, incisive, observant, knowledgeable, discerning, discreet, astute, insightful, piercing, perceptive, acute, awake, aware, brainy, conscious, judicious, keen Examples from the Web for gnostic Contemporary Examples of gnostic
We also have the Gnostic Gospels, discovered in 1947 and adding a wealth of insights into early Christian thinking.
Jay Parini
December 1, 2013
Historical Examples of gnostic
The spread and influence of the Gnostic sects was notoriously wide.
The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria
Morris Jastrow
Omnia subito is not its device, but that of the Gnostic heresy.
Christianity and Greek Philosophy
Benjamin Franklin Cocker
He who is conversant with all kinds of wisdom will be pre-eminently a Gnostic.
Esoteric Christianity, or The Lesser Mysteries
Annie Besant
Similarly the g in gnostic, the e in eulogy, p in pneumonia, the h in chromatic.
Elmer W. Cavins
M. Papus speaks of him as the founder and patriarch of the Gnostic Church.
Arthur Edward Waite
British Dictionary definitions for gnostic gnostic gnostical adjective
- of, relating to, or possessing knowledge, esp esoteric spiritual knowledge
Derived Formsgnostically, adverb Gnostic noun
- an adherent of Gnosticism
adjective
- of or relating to Gnostics or to Gnosticism
Word Origin for Gnostic C16: from Late Latin Gnosticī the Gnostics, from Greek gnōstikos relating to knowledge, from gnōstos known, from gignōskein to know Word Origin and History for gnostic Gnostic n.
1580s, “believer in a mystical religious doctrine of spiritual knowledge,” from Late Latin Gnosticus, from Late Greek Gnostikos, noun use of adj. gnostikos “knowing, able to discern,” from gnostos “knowable,” from gignoskein “to learn, to come to know” (see know). Applied to various early Christian sects that claimed direct personal knowledge beyond the Gospel or the Church hierarchy.
adj.
“relating to knowledge,” 1650s, from Greek gnostikos “knowing, able to discern,” from gnostos “known, perceived, understood,” from gignoskein “to learn, to come to know” (see know).