theosophy

[ thee-os-uh-fee ]

/ θiˈɒs ə fi /

noun

any of various forms of philosophical or religious thought based on a mystical insight into the divine nature.

(often initial capital letters) the system of belief and practice of the Theosophical Society.

Nearby words

Origin of theosophy

1640–50; < Medieval Latin theosophia < Late Greek theosophía. See theo-, -sophy

Related forms

the·o·soph·i·cal

[thee-uh-sof-i-kuh l] /ˌθi əˈsɒf ɪ kəl/, the·o·soph·ic, adjectivethe·o·soph·i·cal·ly, adverbthe·os·o·phism, nounthe·os·o·phist, noun

non·the·o·soph·ic, adjectivenon·the·o·soph·i·cal, adjectivenon·the·o·soph·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for theosophist

Fabulous lunatic Madame Blavatsky was a con artist, a mystic, and the founder of the Theosophist Society.
Dead Cool: Madame Blavatsky|Simon Doonan|January 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST
With us, perhaps; but remember, we are not capable critics, even though one of us is a Theosophist.
The Making of Mary|Jean Forsyth
Not being a Theosophist or Buddhist, I can speak of him more freely.
The Buddha's Path of Virtue|Frank Lee Woodward
Only a theosophist could imagine that they would be young girls.
The Paliser case|Edgar Saltus

They must be recognised as fit objects for the study of the Theosophist.
London Lectures of 1907|Annie Besant
When I told this to my friend the theosophist in Lund, he remembered an occurrence to which he could never find the key.
Legends|August Strindberg

British Dictionary definitions for theosophist

theosophy

/ (θɪˈɒsəfɪ) /

noun

any of various religious or philosophical systems claiming to be based on or to express an intuitive insight into the divine nature

the system of beliefs of the Theosophical Society founded in 1875, claiming to be derived from the sacred writings of Brahmanism and Buddhism, but denying the existence of any personal God

Derived Formstheosophical (ˌθɪəˈsɒfɪkəl), adjectivetheosophically, adverbtheosophism, nountheosophist, noun

Word Origin for theosophy

C17: from Medieval Latin theosophia, from Late Greek; see theo-, -sophy

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

Word Origin and History for theosophist

theosophy

1640s (implied in theosophical), "knowledge about God and nature obtained through mystical study," from Medieval Latin theosophia (c.880), from Late Greek theosophia (c.500, Pseudo-Dionysus) "wisdom concerning God or things divine," from Greek theosophos "one wise about God," from theos "god" (see Thea) + sophos "wise, learned" (see sophist). Taken as the name of a modern philosophical system (sometimes called Esoteric Buddhism), founded in New York 1875 as "Theosophical Society" by Madame Blavatsky and others, which combines teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism.