gnosis

¹ American  

[noh-sis] / ˈnoʊ sɪs /

noun

1. knowledge of spiritual matters; mystical knowledge.

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-gnosis ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “knowledge,” used in the formation of compound words.

   prognosis.

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-gnosis ¹ British  

combining form

1. (esp in medicine) recognition or knowledge

   prognosis

   diagnosis

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gnosis ² British  

/ ˈnəʊsɪs /

noun

1. supposedly revealed knowledge of various spiritual truths, esp that said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics

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Usage

What does -gnosis mean? The combining form -gnosis is used like a suffix meaning “knowledge.” It is occasionally used in scientific and technical terms, especially in medicine. The form -gnosis comes from Greek gnṓsis, meaning “a seeking to know.”What are variants of -gnosis?While -gnosis doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -gnostic, which denotes adjectives related to -gnosis, as in diagnostic. Another relative of -gnosis is the form -gnomy, as in physiognomy. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use -gnosis article.

Other Word Forms

• -gnostic combining form

Etymology

Origin of gnosis¹

1695–1705; < New Latin < Greek gnṓsis a seeking to know, equivalent to gnō-, base of gignṓskein know ¹ + -sis -sis

Origin of -gnosis²

< Latin -gnōsis < Greek; gnosis

Example Sentences

The Greek word for knowledge is gnosis, but there is another word, epignosis, which denotes “a greater participation by the knower in the object known”.

From The Guardian • Aug. 26, 2018

Assessment of the functions of the sensorium includes praxis and gnosis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Praxis and gnosis are related to the conscious perception and cortical processing of sensory information.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The goal of the gnostics was to develop gnosis – knowledge of the real world that we could access through our souls.

From Forbes • Jun. 25, 2011

For it is the gnosis of the Gnosis of the Ineffable in which I have spoken with you this day.”

From The Gnostic Crucifixion by Mead, G. R. S.