Pelagian

[puh-ley-jee-uhn, -juhn]

noun

1. a follower of Pelagius, who denied original sin and believed in freedom of the will.

adjective

1. of or relating to Pelagius or Pelagianism.

Pelagian

¹

/ pɛˈleɪdʒɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Pelagius or his doctrines

noun

1. an adherent of the doctrines of Pelagius

pelagian

²

/ pɛˈleɪdʒɪən /

adjective

1. of or inhabiting the open sea

Other Word Forms

• Pelagianism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pelagian¹

1525–35; < Late Latin Pelagiānus; -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pelagian¹

C18: from Latin pelagius, from Greek pelagios of the sea, from pelagos sea

Example Sentences

“It’s the Pelagian vision,” he wrote.

From Seattle Times

“It’s like Anthony Burgess’s idea that Pelagian liberalism alternates historically with Augustinian conservatism,” he said.

From The Guardian

He was a re lapsed saint, who had fallen into the Pelagian heresy of Celestius, and he believed that the soul was capable of its own salvation.

From Literature

He had one already about the shape of his tonsure, and the usual one about the date of Barter, as well as his own Pelagian business—but the latest was beginning to make him feel as if the presence of children was unnecessary.

From Literature

The genius and the virtue that might have defended the Empire were engaged in fierce disputes about the Pelagian controversy, at the very time when Alaric was encircling Rome with his armies,312 and there was no subtlety of theological metaphysics which did not kindle a deeper interest in the Christian leaders than the throes of their expiring country.

From Project Gutenberg