Related Searches
on Ask.com
Manichaeism
- 3 dictionary results
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Manichaeism
Man"i*ch[ae]*ism\, Manicheism \Man"i*che*ism\, n. [Cf. F. manich['e]isme.] The doctrines taught, or system of principles maintained, by the Manich[ae]ans.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Manichaeism
1556, "the religion of the Manichees," (c.1380) a Gnostic Christian sect named for its founder, Mani (L. Manichæus), c.215-275, Syriac-speaking apostle from a Jesus cult in Mesopotamia in 240s, who taught a universal religion. Vegetarian and visionary, they saw "particles of light and goodness" trapped in evil matter and regarded Satan as co-eternal with God. The universe was a scene of struggle between good and evil. The sect was characterized by dualism and a double-standard of perfectionist "elects" and a larger group of fellow travelers who would require several reincarnations before their particles of light would be liberated.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
>


