semi-Arian
|se-mi-air-i-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌsɛmiˈɛəriən/
🇬🇧
/ˌsɛmiˈeəriən/
partly Arian / Arian-leaning
Etymology
'semi-Arian' originates from Latin 'semi-' (from Latin 'semis'), where 'semi-' meant 'half', combined with 'Arian', derived from the name 'Arius' (a 4th-century presbyter) and the movement 'Arianism'.
'semi-Arian' developed via Late Latin/medieval Latin formations such as 'semi-arianus' (or similar scholarly Latin formations) and entered English usage as the hyphenated compound 'semi-Arian' to describe partial adherence to Arianism.
Initially it described someone or something 'half Arian' (partially aligned with Arius's teachings); over time it has remained specialized theological usage meaning 'partly Arian' or 'Arian-leaning' rather than fully Arian.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is semi-Arian; someone who holds beliefs partially aligned with Arianism but is not a full adherent.
A semi-Arian refused to affirm the full divinity of Christ in the council's statement.
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Adjective 1
partially relating to Arianism; holding beliefs that lean toward Arian doctrine without fully committing to it (showing some Arian tendencies).
The council debated whether the bishop's statements were semi-Arian in tone.
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Last updated: 2025/12/24 18:19