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pelagian

 - 3 dictionary results

Pe⋅la⋅gi⋅an

  [puh-ley-jee-uhn, -juhn]
Use pelagian in a Sentence
–noun
1. a follower of Pelagius, who denied original sin and believed in freedom of the will.
–adjective
2. of or pertaining to Pelagius or Pelagianism.
Origin:
1525–35; < LL Pelagiānus; see -an

Related forms:
Pe⋅la⋅gi⋅an⋅ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pelagian
Pe·la·gi·an·ism   (pə-lā'jē-ə-nĭz'əm)   
n.  The theological doctrine propounded by Pelagius, a British monk, and condemned as heresy by the Roman Catholic Church in A.D. 416. It denied original sin and affirmed the ability of humans to be righteous by the exercise of free will.
Pe·la'gi·an adj. & 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

Pelagian 
1532, from M.L. Pelagianus, from Pelagius, Latinized form of the name of 4c. British monk who denied the doctrine of original sin. Combated by Augustine, condemned by Pope Zosimus, 418 C.E. His name in Welsh was Morgan, which is based on the root word for "sea" (cf. Gk. pelagos "sea").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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