gnostic

¹

[nos-tik]

adjective

1. pertaining to knowledge.

2. possessing knowledge, especially esoteric knowledge of spiritual matters.

3. (initial capital letter),  pertaining to or characteristic of the Gnostics.

noun

1. (initial capital letter),  a member of any of certain sects among the early Christians who claimed to have superior knowledge of spiritual matters, and explained the world as created by powers or agencies arising as emanations from the Godhead.

-gnostic

²

1. a combination of -gnosis and -ic, used to form adjectives from stems ending in -gnosis:

   prognostic.

Gnostic

¹

/ ˈnɒstɪk /

noun

1. an adherent of Gnosticism

adjective

1. of or relating to Gnostics or to Gnosticism

gnostic

²

/ ˈnɒstɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or possessing knowledge, esp esoteric spiritual knowledge

Other Word Forms

• gnostically adverb
• antignostic adjective
• antignostical adjective
• ungnostic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnostic¹

1555–65; < Late Latin Gnōsticī (plural) name of the sect < Greek gnōstikós (singular) pertaining to knowledge, equivalent to gnōst ( ós ) known + -ikos -ic

Origin of gnostic²

< Medieval Latin -gnōsticus < Greek gnōstikós pertaining to knowledge

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnostic¹

C16: from Late Latin Gnosticī the Gnostics, from Greek gnōstikos relating to knowledge, from gnōstos known, from gignōskein to know

Example Sentences

It’s a fitting creation story for our age, with a sort of Gnostic, fallen-world inflection: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was a mistake.

From Seattle Times

I’ve spent years reading books about Christianity including about the Gnostic Gospels.

From New York Times

Bloom called himself an “unbelieving Jew of strong Gnostic tendencies”.

From The Guardian

Perhaps, as the Gnostic Gospels suggest, the first step is clear-eyed humility.

From Washington Post

Feeling confused and overwhelmed, she turned to the New Testament, the Gnostic gospels of the Nag Hammadi library and Buddhism.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• astute 
• discerning 
• discreet 
• incisive 
• insightful 
• intuitive 
• knowing 
• knowledgeable 
• observant 
• penetrating 
• wise 

When To Use

What does -gnostic mean?

The combining form -gnostic is used like a suffix meaning “of or relating to knowledge.” It is occasionally used in scientific and technical terms, especially in medicine.The form -gnostic is a combination of two forms. The first is -gnosis, from Greek gnṓsis, meaning “a seeking to know.” The second is the suffix -ic, from Greek -ikos, which denotes adjectives.What are variants of -gnostic?While -gnostic doesn't have any variants, it is related to the forms -gnosis, as in diagnosis, and -gnomy, as in physiognomy. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on -gnosis and -gnomy.