Neoplatonism

[ nee-oh-pleyt-n-iz-uhm ]

/ ˌni oʊˈpleɪt nˌɪz əm /

Save This Word!

noun

Sometimes neoplatonism . a philosophical system, originated in the 3rd century a.d. by Plotinus, founded chiefly on Platonic doctrine and Eastern mysticism, with later influences from Christianity. It holds that all existence consists of emanations from the One with whom the soul may be reunited.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Neoplatonism

First recorded in 1835–45; neo- + Platonism

OTHER WORDS FROM Neoplatonism

Ne·o·pla·ton·ic

[nee-oh-pluh-ton-ik], /ˌni oʊ pləˈtɒn ɪk/, adjectiveNe·o·pla·to·nist, noun

Words nearby Neoplatonism

neoplasia, neoplasm, neoplastic, neoplasticism, neoplasty, Neoplatonism, neopopulist, neoprene, neopronoun, Neoptolemus, neo-Pythagoreanism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Neoplatonism in a sentence

Accordingly the ethical side of this doctrine has the same negative and ascetic character that we have observed in Neoplatonism.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7|Various
See especially articles Evolution, Neoplatonism, Gnosticism.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3|Various
Neoplatonism exerted a powerful influence upon the healing art.
Outlines of Greek and Roman Medicine|James Sands Elliott
But at present it cannot even be said whether the Jewish philosophy of religion had any influence on the genesis of Neoplatonism.
History of Dogma, Volume 1 (of 7)|Adolph Harnack

And, as a matter of fact, barbarism succeeded the flourishing period of Neoplatonism.
History of Dogma, Volume 1 (of 7)|Adolph Harnack

British Dictionary definitions for Neoplatonism

Neo-Platonism

Neoplatonism

/ (ˌniːəʊˈpleɪtəˌnɪzəm) /

noun

a philosophical system which was first developed in the 3rd century ad as a synthesis of Platonic, Pythagorean, and Aristotelian elements, and which, although originally opposed to Christianity, later incorporated it. It dominated European thought until the 13th century and re-emerged during the Renaissance

Derived forms of Neo-Platonism

Neo-Platonic (ˌniːəʊpləˈtɒnɪk), adjectiveNeo-Platonist, noun, adjective

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