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neoplatonism

 - 3 dictionary results

Ne⋅o⋅pla⋅to⋅nism

  [nee-oh-pleyt-n-iz-uhm]
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–noun (sometimes lowercase)
a philosophical system, originated in the 3rd century a.d. by Plotinus, founded chiefly on Platonic doctrine and Oriental mysticism, with later influences from Christianity. It holds that all existence consists of emanations from the One with whom the soul may be reunited.
Origin:
1835–45; neo- + Platonism

Related forms:
Ne⋅o⋅pla⋅ton⋅ic  [nee-oh-pluh-ton-ik] , adjective
Ne⋅o⋅pla⋅to⋅nist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Ne·o-Pla·to·nism also Ne·o·pla·to·nism   (nē'ō-plāt'n-ĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. A philosophical system developed at Alexandria in the third century A.D. by Plotinus and his successors. It is based on Platonism with elements of mysticism and some Judaic and Christian concepts and posits a single source from which all existence emanates and with which an individual soul can be mystically united.

  2. A revival of Neo-Platonism or a system derived from it, as in the Middle Ages.

Ne'o-Pla·ton'ic (-plə-tŏn'ĭk) adj., Ne'o-Pla'to·nist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

Neoplatonism 
1845, a philosophical and religious system mixing Platonic ideas and oriental mysticism, originating 3c. at Alexandria, especially in writings of Plotinus, Porphyry, and Proclus. Neoplatonian is attested from 1831.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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