gymnosophist

American  

[jim-nos-uh-fist] / dʒɪmˈnɒs ə fɪst /

noun

1. one of a group of Jainist philosophers, existing from ancient times to c1000, characterized by refusal to wear clothes and the abandonment of caste marks; a member of the Digambara sect.

---

gymnosophist British  

/ dʒɪmˈnɒsəfɪst /

noun

1. one of a sect of naked Indian ascetics who regarded food or clothing as detrimental to purity of thought

---

Other Word Forms

• gymnosophy noun

Etymology

Origin of gymnosophist

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin gymnosophistae Indian ascetics < Greek gymnosophistaí naked philosophers. See gymno-, sophist

Example Sentences

There was a tradition that Pythagoras had himself penetrated to India, and learnt philosophy from the gymnosophists.

From Project Gutenberg

So much of truth is got from being a gymnosophist and regarding your own toes with aloof abstraction on a sunny Christmas morning.

From Project Gutenberg

He travelled through Asia and visited Nineveh, Babylon and India, imbibing the oriental mysticism of magi, Brahmans and gymnosophists.

From Project Gutenberg

From his use of the word gymnosophist it is probable that Megasthenes confounded the Brahmans with the hermits or fakirs; and this explains his statement that any Hindu might become a Brahman.

From Project Gutenberg

Among these Brahmins he sought out the gymnosophists.

From Project Gutenberg