GNOSTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Gnostic mean? 

• GNOSTIC (noun)
  The noun GNOSTIC has 1 sense:

1. an advocate of Gnosticism

  Familiarity information: GNOSTIC used as a noun is very rare.

• GNOSTIC (adjective)
  The adjective GNOSTIC has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to Gnosticism

2. possessing intellectual or esoteric knowledge of spiritual things

  Familiarity information: GNOSTIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GNOSTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An advocate of Gnosticism

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("Gnostic" is a kind of...):

advocate; advocator; exponent; proponent (a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea)

Derivation:

Gnostic (of or relating to Gnosticism)

• GNOSTIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to Gnosticism

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

Gnostic writings

Pertainym:

Gnosticism (a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches)

Derivation:

gnosis (intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths; said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics)

Gnostic (an advocate of Gnosticism)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Possessing intellectual or esoteric knowledge of spiritual things

Antonym:

agnostic (uncertain of all claims to knowledge)

Derivation:

gnosis (intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths; said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics)