gymnosophist

[jim-nos-uh-fist]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gymnosophist¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gymnosophist¹

C16: from Latin gymnosophistae, from Greek gumnosophistai naked philosophers

Example Sentences

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

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

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

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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.

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Among these Brahmins he sought out the gymnosophists.

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