theosophy

[ thee-os-uh-fee ]

noun
  1. any of various forms of philosophical or religious thought based on a mystical insight into the divine nature.

  2. (often initial capital letters) the system of belief and practice of the Theosophical Society.

Origin of theosophy

1
1640–50; <Medieval Latin theosophia<Late Greek theosophía.See theo-, -sophy

Other words from theosophy

  • the·o·soph·i·cal [thee-uh-sof-i-kuhl], /ˌθi əˈsɒf ɪ kəl/, the·o·soph·ic, adjective
  • the·o·soph·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • the·os·o·phism, noun
  • the·os·o·phist, noun
  • non·the·o·soph·ic, adjective
  • non·the·o·soph·i·cal, adjective
  • non·the·o·soph·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use theosophy in a sentence

  • The earlier alchemists knew nothing of its theosophic doctrines; and the earlier Rosicrucians did not dabble in alchemy.

    Witch, Warlock, and Magician | William Henry Davenport Adams
  • Opposed thereto was the supernatural philosophy, or the theosophic, cabalistic, or mystic.

  • In a recent letter he wrote me that the theosophic doctrine appeared to him to approach the nearest to a solution.

    Mysterious Psychic Forces | Camille Flammarion
  • That this tendency of the "demonstrable sciences" is their only one having a bearing on "theosophic systems."

    Studies of Christianity | James Martineau
  • And what, on the other hand, are the "theosophic fancies" against which he would plant this barbaric artillery of Fate?

    Studies of Christianity | James Martineau

British Dictionary definitions for theosophy

theosophy

/ (θɪˈɒsəfɪ) /


noun
  1. any of various religious or philosophical systems claiming to be based on or to express an intuitive insight into the divine nature

  2. the system of beliefs of the Theosophical Society founded in 1875, claiming to be derived from the sacred writings of Brahmanism and Buddhism, but denying the existence of any personal God

Origin of theosophy

1
C17: from Medieval Latin theosophia, from Late Greek; see theo-, -sophy

Derived forms of theosophy

  • theosophical (ˌθɪəˈsɒfɪkəl), adjective
  • theosophically, adverb
  • theosophism, noun
  • theosophist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012