APOPHATIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does apophatic mean? 

• APOPHATIC (adjective)
  The adjective APOPHATIC has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to the belief that God can be known to humans only in terms of what He is not (such as 'God is unknowable')

  Familiarity information: APOPHATIC used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• APOPHATIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to the belief that God can be known to humans only in terms of what He is not (such as 'God is unknowable')

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

apophatism (the religious belief that God cannot be known but is completely 'other' and must be described in negative terms (in terms of what God is not))

Derivation:

apophasis (mentioning something by saying it will not be mentioned)