Manichaeism
Britishnoun
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the system of religious doctrines, including elements of Gnosticism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc, taught by the Persian prophet Mani about the 3rd century ad . It was based on a supposed primordial conflict between light and darkness or goodness and evil
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RC Church any similar heretical philosophy involving a radical dualism
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of Manichaeism
C14: from Late Latin Manichaeus, from Late Greek Manikhaios of Mani
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ernest is a fascinating, thorny character, especially in the age of Marvel Manichaeism, and he’s rived by contradictions that he scarcely seems aware of.
From New York Times • May 20, 2023
Manichaeism was the chief competitor of Catholic Christianity in Late Antiquity until the arrival of Islam.
From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023
In 779 C.E., rebels opposed to Manichaeism killed Bögü Qaghan.
From Science Magazine • Apr. 13, 2023
I’d like to believe I wasn’t susceptible to the Manichaeism of good guys and bad guys, but I took the meeting.
From Slate • Dec. 16, 2020
The debt of Manichaeism and various Gnostic sects is more certain and more considerable, but these communities have not endured and were regarded as heretical while they lasted.
From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1 by Eliot, Charles, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
