Gnosticism

[ nos-tuh-siz-uh m ]

/ ˈnɒs təˌsɪz əm /

noun Christianity.

a group of ancient heresies, stressing escape from this world through the acquisition of esoteric knowledge.

Origin of Gnosticism

First recorded in 1660–70; Gnostic + -ism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gnosticism

The denial by Gnosticism of free will, and therewith of moral responsibility, called forth very decided contradiction.
History of Dogma, Volume 1 (of 7)|Adolph Harnack
How did this union attain acceptance and permanence, whilst "Gnosticism" was at first rejected?
History of Dogma, Volume 2 (of 7)|Adolph Harnack
They are called by the one name, Gnosticism, and present four aspects of error in this book.
The Bible Book by Book|Josiah Blake Tidwell
Gnosticism we see now divided into two main branches, Asiatic and Egyptian.
The Freethinker's Text Book, Part II.|Annie Besant

This mongrel mass, constituted of notions crumbled from many systems, acquired a certain consistency in Gnosticism.
Demonology and Devil-lore|Moncure Daniel Conway

British Dictionary definitions for gnosticism

Gnosticism

/ (ˈnɒstɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

a religious movement characterized by a belief in gnosis, through which the spiritual element in man could be released from its bondage in matter: regarded as a heresy by the Christian Church

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