gnostic

¹

[ nos-tik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to knowledge.
2. possessing knowledge, especially esoteric knowledge of spiritual matters.
3. (initial capital letter) pertaining to or characteristic of the Gnostics.

noun

1. (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.

-gnostic

²

1. a combination of -gnosis and -ic, used to form adjectives from stems ending in -gnosis:

   prognostic.

gnostic

¹

/ ˈnɒstɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or possessing knowledge, esp esoteric spiritual knowledge

Gnostic

²

/ ˈnɒstɪk /

noun

1. an adherent of Gnosticism

adjective

1. of or relating to Gnostics or to Gnosticism

Derived Forms

• ˈgnostically, adverb

Other Words From

• gnosti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·gnostic adjective noun
• anti·gnosti·cal adjective
• un·gnostic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnostic¹

1555–65; < Late Latin Gnōsticī (plural) name of the sect < Greek gnōstikós (singular) pertaining to knowledge, equivalent to gnōst ( ós ) known + -ikos -ic

Origin of gnostic²

< Medieval Latin -gnōsticus < Greek gnōstikós pertaining to knowledge

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnostic¹

C16: from Late Latin Gnosticī the Gnostics, from Greek gnōstikos relating to knowledge, from gnōstos known, from gignōskein to know

Example Sentences

We also have the Gnostic Gospels, discovered in 1947 and adding a wealth of insights into early Christian thinking.

From The Daily Beast

I have been unable to discover any gnostic gem with anything like a modern dragon on it.

From Project Gutenberg

He says these scandalous figures resemble those in the Gnostic churches.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, on the other hand, the wild rebound into licentiousness which has sometimes characterized Gnostic or Manichaean sects.

From Project Gutenberg

The real root of the difficulty to Platonist as to Gnostic was his sharp antithesis of form as good and matter as evil.

From Project Gutenberg

This idea was undoubtedly suggested to him by the threefold division of mankind according to the Gnostic p. 265system.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• astute
• discerning
• discreet
• incisive
• insightful
• intuitive
• knowing
• knowledgeable
• observant
• penetrating
• wise