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.

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gymnosophist British  

/ dʒɪmˈnɒsəfɪst /

noun

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

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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

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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various

But there is this about some women, which overtops the best gymnosophist among men, that they suffice to themselves, and can walk in a high and cold zone without the countenance of any trousered being.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 1 (of 25) by Lang, Andrew

"Not so, O king," replied the gymnosophist, "unless you said falsely that he should die first who made the worst answer."

From Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Clough, Arthur Hugh

Fearing an accusation of adultery, the mother gives the babe to the care of Sisimithras, a gymnosophist, who carries her to Egypt and places her in charge of Charicles, a Pythian priest.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

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

From The Sea and the Jungle by Tomlinson, H. M. (Henry Major)