gnosis
noun
knowledge of spiritual matters; mystical knowledge.
Jump to:
gnosis
1 American
[noh-sis]
/ ˈnoʊ sɪs /
noun
-gnosis
2
American
-gnosis
1
British
combining form
gnosis
2
British
/ ˈnəʊsɪs /
noun
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
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; see gnosis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
This shows they also were in possession of the gnosis, and that the Christ and his repeated incarnations were Kronian.
From The Eliminator; or, Skeleton Keys to Sacerdotal Secrets by Westbrook, Richard B.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
