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
Derived 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.
She also purported to be the reborn “Madam Blavtski,” likely referring to Russian mystic Helena Blavatsky, the founder of the Theosophy occultist movement.
From Salon • Dec. 4, 2023
Some, like the Self Realization Fellowship and the Krotona Institute of Theosophy are still around today.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2023
A focus on sensory experiences, Küster added, also related to Mondrian’s long-term adherence to Theosophy, an occult movement that sought “a mystic conception of cosmic harmony,” as Mondrian put it, through nature.
From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2022
Established in New York by the Russian émigré Madame Blavatsky, Theosophy was a fast-spreading spiritualist movement that sought to reconcile Eastern philosophy and religion with its Western counterparts.
From Washington Post • Oct. 31, 2018
“Sketch of the Character of the Theosophy of Baader,” translated in American Presbyterian and Theological Review, 1869.103.Laing,
From Church History, Vol. 3 of 3 by Kurtz, J. H.
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.
