traducianism

American  

[truh-doo-shuh-niz-uhm, -dyoo-] / trəˈdu ʃəˌnɪz əm, -ˈdyu- /

noun

Theology.

1. the doctrine that the human soul is propagated along with the body.

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traducianism British  

/ trəˈdjuːʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the theory that the soul is transmitted to a child in the act of generation or concomitantly with its body Compare creationism

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Other Word Forms

• traducian noun
• traducianist noun
• traducianistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of traducianism

1840–50; < Late Latin trādūciānus transmitter ( trāduci-, stem of trādux lineage ( Latin: vine led across for propagation, derivative of trādūcere to lead across; traduce ) + -ānus -an ) + -ism

Example Sentences

Augustine denied that traducianism was necessarily connected with the doctrine of original sin, and to the end of his life was unable to decide for or against it.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

Jerome condemned it, and said that creatianism was the opinion of the Church, though he admitted that most of the Western Christians held traducianism.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

Tradū′cian, one who believes in traducianism; Tradū′cianism, the belief, long prevalent in the Western Church, that children receive soul as well as body from their parents through natural generation—every soul being a fresh creation—also Generationism.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various