theosophy
Americannoun
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any of various forms of philosophical or religious thought based on a mystical insight into the divine nature.
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(often initial capital letters) the system of belief and practice of the Theosophical Society.
noun
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any of various religious or philosophical systems claiming to be based on or to express an intuitive insight into the divine nature
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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
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of theosophy
1640–50; < Medieval Latin theosophia < Late Greek theosophía. See theo-, -sophy
Explanation
Theosophy is a mystical way of thinking about the world. A belief in and direct knowledge of God is very important in theosophy. The noun theosophy is often used to refer to a specific group, the Theosophical Society, which was formed in the late 1800s and had the motto, "There is no Religion higher than the Truth." The word itself is rooted in the Greek theosophos, "one who is wise about God," from theos, "God," and sophos, "wise or learned."
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.
But, she adds, Kandinsky, Mondrian and Malevich were all influenced by contemporary spiritual movements such as theosophy and anthroposophy too, as they sought to transcend the physical world and the constraints of representational art.
From The Guardian • Oct. 6, 2020
He was drawn to theosophy and Eastern philosophy.
From Washington Post • Jan. 15, 2020
Eventually he moved to Munich with Marianne von Werefkin, another artistic expat from the nobility, vacationed with Kandinsky, bought a van Gogh and studied Buddhism, yoga and theosophy.
From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2017
Harris embraced theosophy, the esoteric system of comprehending divinity.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2015
When she found that the theosophy she had developed for communication with a dead husband was not necessary, she cast about for some new unhappiness.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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.
