anti-gnostic
|an-ti-gnos-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈnɑː.stɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈnɒs.tɪk/
against Gnosticism / opposed to secret/esoteric knowledge
Etymology
'anti-gnostic' is formed from the combining prefix 'anti-' and 'gnostic'. 'Anti-' originates from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against', which entered English via Latin and French as a combining form meaning 'opposed to'. 'Gnostic' comes from Greek 'gnōstikos' (from 'gnōsis') meaning 'knowledge'.
'Gnostic' came from Greek 'gnōstikos' → Late Latin 'gnosticus' → New Latin/English 'gnostic'. The prefix 'anti-' came from Greek 'antí' into Latin and then into English as a productive prefix; the compound 'anti-gnostic' arose in modern English usage when describing opposition to Gnosticism (particularly in theological and historical discussions).
Originally the elements meant 'against' + 'knowledge' (or 'against those claiming special knowledge'); over time the compound has been used specifically to denote opposition to Gnosticism or to the idea of esoteric/special spiritual knowledge, a sense that has been stable in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to Gnosticism or to gnostic ideas (i.e., someone who rejects or critiques Gnostic doctrines).
Several early church fathers were prominent anti-gnostics who wrote against Gnostic texts.
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Adjective 1
opposed to Gnosticism or Gnostic doctrines; hostile to or rejecting the teachings and beliefs associated with Gnosticism (ancient religious movements emphasizing esoteric 'gnosis' or special knowledge).
The scholar published an article criticizing the movement as fundamentally anti-gnostic in its rejection of established creeds.
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Adjective 2
opposed to the idea of esoteric or elitist 'gnosis'—more generally, skeptical of claims to special, hidden spiritual knowledge.
Her theology was distinctly anti-gnostic, emphasizing common access to faith rather than secret knowledge.
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Last updated: 2025/10/30 05:18