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theosophy

 - 3 dictionary results

the⋅os⋅o⋅phy

  [thee-os-uh-fee]
Use theosophy in a Sentence
–noun
1. any of various forms of philosophical or religious thought based on a mystical insight into the divine nature.
2. (often initial capital letters) the system of belief and practice of the Theosophical Society.
Origin:
1640–50; < ML theosophia < LGk theosophía. See theo, -sophy

Related forms:
the⋅o⋅soph⋅i⋅cal  [thee-uh-sof-i-kuhl] , the⋅o⋅soph⋅ic, adjective
the⋅o⋅soph⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
the⋅os⋅o⋅phism, noun
the⋅os⋅o⋅phist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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the·os·o·phy   (thē-ŏs'ə-fē)   
n.   pl. the·os·o·phies

  1. Religious philosophy or speculation about the nature of the soul based on mystical insight into the nature of God.

  2. often Theosophy The system of beliefs and teachings of the Theosophical Society, founded in New York City in 1875, incorporating aspects of Buddhism and Brahmanism, especially the belief in reincarnation and spiritual evolution.


[Medieval Latin theosophia, from Late Greek theosophiā : Greek theo-, theo- + Greek sophiā, wisdom.]
the'o·soph'ic (-ə-sŏf'ĭk), the'o·soph'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj., the'o·soph'i·cal·ly adv., the·os'o·phist 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

theosophy 
1642 (implied in theosophical), "knowledge about God and nature obtained through mystical study," from M.L. theosophia (c.880), from Late Gk. theosophia (c.500, Pseudo-Dionysus) "wisdom concerning God or things divine," from Gk. theosophos "one wise about God," from theos "god" (see Thea) + sophos "wise, learned." Taken as the name of a modern philosophical system (sometimes called Esoteric Buddhism), founded in New York 1875 as "Theosophical Society" by Madame Blavatsky and others, which combines teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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