Gnosticism

[ nos-tuh-siz-uhm ]

/ ˈnɒs təˌsɪz əm /

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noun Christianity.

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

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Origin of Gnosticism

First recorded in 1660–70; Gnostic + -ism

Words nearby Gnosticism

-gnomy, gnosia, gnosis, Gnossus, gnostic, Gnosticism, Gnosticize, gnotobiology, gnotobiosis, gnotobiota, gnotobiote

How to use Gnosticism in a sentence

The conflict with Gnosticism made it necessary to find some sort of solution to the question, "What is Christian?"
History of Dogma, Volume 2 (of 7)|Adolph Harnack
Gnosticism was particularly successful in Egypt, which was predestined to accept it by the whole of its past.
A history of art in ancient Egypt, Vol. I (of 2)|Georges Perrot
It is certain that there are to be found in their religion traces of Gnosticism and Magianism.
The Browning Cyclopdia|Edward Berdoe
Basilides, then, represents that form of Gnosticism that is closest to Persian dualism in its final form.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3|Various

Whether Basilides himself had already given this magic tendency to Gnosticism cannot be decided.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3|Various

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