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

Derived Forms

• gymˈnosophy, noun

Other Words From

• gym·noso·phy 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

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

Opposite Julian stood a lean man with a coppery skin; it was the gymnosophist—the naked sage—assistant of Maximus.

From Project Gutenberg

Two islands in India, one called Brahmin, and the other Gymnosophist.

From Project Gutenberg