gnostic

[nos-tik] /ˈnɒs tɪk/
adjective, Also, gnostical
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
4.
(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.
Origin
1555-65; < Late Latin Gnōsticī (plural) name of the sect < Greek gnōstikós (singular) pertaining to knowledge, equivalent to gnōst(ós) known + -ikos -ic
Related forms
gnostically, adverb
antignostic, adjective, noun
antignostical, adjective
ungnostic, adjective

-gnostic

1.
a combination of -gnosis and -ic, used to form adjectives from stems ending in -gnosis:
prognostic.
Origin
< Medieval Latin -gnōsticus < Greek gnōstikós pertaining to knowledge
Examples from the web for gnostic
  • Charges of gnostic libertinism find their source in the works of irenaeus.
  • On the whole, it would seem that gnostic behavior tended towards the ascetic.
British Dictionary definitions for gnostic

gnostic

/ˈnɒstɪk/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or possessing knowledge, esp esoteric spiritual knowledge
Derived Forms
gnostically, adverb

Gnostic

/ˈnɒstɪk/
noun
1.
an adherent of Gnosticism
adjective
2.
of or relating to Gnostics or to Gnosticism
Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin Gnosticī the Gnostics, from Greek gnōstikos relating to knowledge, from gnōstos known, from gignōskein to know
Word Origin and History for gnostic

Gnostic

n.

1580s, "believer in a mystical religious doctrine of spiritual knowledge," from Late Latin Gnosticus, from Late Greek Gnostikos, noun use of adj. gnostikos "knowing, able to discern," from gnostos "knowable," from gignoskein "to learn, to come to know" (see know). Applied to various early Christian sects that claimed direct personal knowledge beyond the Gospel or the Church hierarchy.

adj.

"relating to knowledge," 1650s, from Greek gnostikos "knowing, able to discern," from gnostos "known, perceived, understood," from gignoskein "to learn, to come to know" (see know).