Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

Mandaean

or Man·de·an

[man-dee-uh n]
See more synonyms for Mandaean on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a member of an ancient Gnostic sect extant in Iraq.
  2. the Aramaic language of the Mandaean sacred books.
Show More
adjective
  1. of or relating to the Mandaeans.
Show More

Origin of Mandaean

1870–75; < Mandaean mandayy(ā) Gnostics (literally, the knowing ones) + -an
Related formsMan·dae·an·ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mandaean

Historical Examples

  • The chief depositaries of these Mandaean mysteries are the priests, who enjoy a high degree of power and social regard.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 5

    Various

British Dictionary definitions for mandaean

Mandaean

Mandean

noun
  1. a member of a Gnostic sect of Iraq
  2. the form of Aramaic used by this sect
Show More
adjective
  1. of or relating to this sect
Show More
Derived FormsMandaeanism or Mandeanism, noun

Word Origin

C19: from Aramaic mandaya Gnostics, from mandā knowledge
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