neo-Confucian

[ nee-oh-kuhn-fyoo-shuhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to an eclectic philosophical movement of the 12th to the 16th centuries, incorporating Taoist and Buddhist elements with an adaptation of Confucianism.

noun

1. an advocate or follower of neo-Confucianism.

Other Words From

• neo-Con·fucian·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of neo-Confucian¹

First recorded in 1945–50