| 释义 |
gnostic, a. and n.|ˈnɒstɪk|
Also 7 gnostick, gnostique.
[ad. Gr. γνωστικ-ός pertaining to knowledge, f. the root γνω-: see prec.]
A. adj.
1. Relating to knowledge; cognitive; intellectual.
1656Stanley Hist. Philos. v. (1701) 191/1 The Souls of the Gods have a dijudicative Faculty, called Gnostic. 1792T. Taylor Proclus I. Dissert. xiv, They [the numbers] exist in a vital, gnostic, and speculative, but not in an operative manner. 1836–7Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. xli. (1859) II. 415 The distinction taken in the Peripatetic School by which the mental modifications were divided into Gnostic or Cognitive, and Orectic or Appetent. 1884Nonconf. & Indep. 10 Oct. 975/1 Gnostic pride will continue to feed itself on doctrine that leads to no action.
b. nonce-use. Believing in the reality of transcendental knowledge; opposed to agnostic.
1888R. Flint in Mind XIII. 596 Idealism is not necessarily either gnostic or agnostic, but is more apt to be the former than the latter.
c. Possessing esoteric spiritual knowledge.
1800W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. VIII. 797 Their disciples..have formed in the different churches an interior gnostic or illuminated order, rather than independent congregations.
d. In humorous or slang use: Clever, knowing.
1819Blackw. Mag. V. 681 Mr. Seward..threw over to us a letter written in a large gnostic sprauling hand. 1824Scott St. Ronan's v, I said you were a d―d gnostic fellow, and I laid a bet you have not been always professional. 1859Trollope West Indies v. (1860) 76 It [punch] should partake duly of the..spirit and..the saccharine according to the skill and will of the gnostic fabricator, who in mixing knows his own purposes.
2. (With capital initial.) Pertaining to the Gnostics; having an occult or mystic character.
1838Penny Cycl. XI. 281/1 The origin of the Gnostic system has been traced to various sources. 1851D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) II. iv. ii. 223 A Gnostic gem of agate, on which a z-formed symbol is twice repeated. Ibid. 224 The early phases of Gnostic philosophy. 1885Catholic Dict. (ed. 3) 375/1 In Alexandria, the Gnostic tendencies gathered life and strength.
B. n.
1. Hist. (With capital initial.) Chiefly pl. The designation given to certain heretical sects among the early Christians who claimed to have superior knowledge of things spiritual, and interpreted the sacred writings by a mystic philosophy (cf. gnosis).
[1563Winȝet Wks. (1890) II. 51 Iowis, Gentilis, and thai callit Gnostici. Marg. Sua nameit for ostentatioun of thare science.] 1585–7T. Rogers 39 Art. (1607) 44 Some, as the Gnostics..affirm there be more Gods than one. 1641Wilkins Mercury x. (1707) 43 From such idle Collections as these, many Heresies of the..Gnosticks had their first Beginnings. 1744Berkeley Siris §187 The Gnostics, Basilidians, and other ancient heretics. 1841Trench Parables ii. (1877) 18 The ghastly dream of Gnostic and Manichæan. 1877C. Geikie Christ xxviii. (1879) 315 The Christian Gnostics began to make likenesses of him.
transf.1645Milton Tetrach. Introd. (1851) 136 Thought new and dangerous by some of our severe Gnostics, whose little reading..holds ever with hardest obstinacy that which it took up with easiest credulity.
b. Comb., as Gnostic-like adj.
1664H. More Expos. 7 Epist. 71 The Balaamites..were of a more Gnostick-like temper, too much leaning towards the Flesh.
2. In general sense: † One skilled or learned in any subject (obs.). Also slang, ‘a knowing one’, an adept in dishonest acts.
1641R. Brooke Eng. Episc. 9 He that is a Gnostique in one, cannot be a meere Tyrunculus in the other. 1819Moore Tom Crib (ed. 2) p. xxvii, Many of the words used by the Canting Beggars in Beaumont and Fletcher..are still to be heard among the gnostics of Dyot-street and Tothill-fields. |