Definition of Gnostic

1. Noun. An advocate of Gnosticism.

Generic synonyms: Advocate, Advocator, Exponent, Proponent

2. Adjective. Of or relating to Gnosticism. "Gnostic writings"
Derivative terms: Gnosis
Partainyms: Gnosticism

3. Adjective. Possessing intellectual or esoteric knowledge of spiritual things.
Antonyms: Agnostic
Derivative terms: Gnosis

Definition of Gnostic

1. a. Knowing; wise; shrewd.

2. n. One of the so-called philosophers in the first ages of Christianity, who claimed a true philosophical interpretation of the Christian religion. Their system combined Oriental theology and Greek philosophy with the doctrines of Christianity. They held that all natures, intelligible, intellectual, and material, are derived from the Deity by successive emanations, which they called Eons.

Definition of Gnostic

1. Adjective. (notcomp) Of, or relating to, intellectual or spiritual knowledge ¹

2. Adjective. (notcomp) Of, or relating to Gnosticism ¹

3. Noun. A believer in Gnosticism ¹

4. Adjective. (alternative capitalization of Gnostic) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Gnostic

1. an adherent of gnosticism [n -S] - See also: gnosticism

Medical Definition of Gnostic

1. One of the so-called philosophers in the first ages of Christianity, who claimed a true philosophical interpretation of the Christian religion. Their system combined Oriental theology and Greek philosophy with the doctrines of Christianity. They held that all natures, intelligible, intellectual, and material, are derived from the Deity by successive emanations, which they called Eons. Origin: L. Gnosticus, Gr. Good at knowing, sagacious; as a n, man that claims to have a deeper wisdom, fr. Gignwskein to know: cf. F. Gnostique. See Know. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Gnostic

gnomonology
gnomons
gnoscopine
gnoscopines
gnoseological
gnoseologically
gnoseology
gnoses
gnosia
gnosiological
gnosiologically
gnosiology
gnosis
gnossienne
gnossiennes
gnostic
gnostical
gnostically
gnosticise
gnosticised
gnosticises
gnosticising
gnosticisms
gnostics
gnotobiology
gnotobiont
gnotobionts
gnotobiot
gnotobiota
gnotobiotas

Literary usage of Gnostic

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"This Gnostic was combated by Theophilus of Antioch and Tertullian. LITERATURE.—The Gnostics developed an astounding literary activity, which produced a ..."

2. The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and by Hugh Chisholm (1910)
"AD i8o), gives а detailed account of the Gnostic heresies. ... Here Hippolytus gave a second exposition supplemented by fresh Gnostic original sources with ..."

3. Encyclopaedia Britannica, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and edited by Hugh Chisholm (1910)
"If we wish to grasp the peculiar character of the great Gnostic movement, ... These little Gnostic sects and groups all lived ¡n the conviction that they 1 ..."

4. A Source Book for Ancient Church History: From the Apostolic Age to the by Joseph Cullen Ayer (1913)
"THE GREATER Gnostic SYSTEMS: BASILIDES AND VALENTINUS The Gnostic systems having most influence within the Church and effect upon its development were those ..."

5. General History of the Christian Religion and Church by August Neander, K. F. Th Schneider (1853)
"to us the most proper one, we shall speak first of those Gnostic sects, which, ... Gnostic Sects attaching themselves to Judaism. CERINTHUS. ..."

6. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and to by Thomas Kingsmill Abbott (1902)
"An objection to the genuineness of the Epistle, which would be serious if well founded, is that the Epistle combats certain errors of a Gnostic character ..."

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