theosophy

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: the=os=o=phy

CIDE DICTIONARY

theosophy, n. [Gr. knowledge of things divine, fr. wise in the things of God; God + wise: cf. F. théosophie.].

 Any system of philosophy or mysticism which proposes to attain intercourse with God and superior spirits, and consequent superhuman knowledge, by physical processes, as by the theurgic operations of some ancient Platonists, or by the chemical processes of the German fire philosophers; also, a direct, as distinguished from a revealed, knowledge of God, supposed to be attained by extraordinary illumination; especially, a direct insight into the processes of the divine mind, and the interior relations of the divine nature.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

theosophy, n. (pl. -ies) any of various philosophies professing to achieve a knowledge of God by spiritual ecstasy, direct intuition, or special individual relations, esp. a modern movement following Hindu and Buddhist teachings and seeking universal brotherhood.

Derivative

theosopher n. theosophic adj. theosophical adj. theosophically adv. theosophist n.

Etymology

med.L theosophia f. late Gk theosophia f. theosophos wise concerning God (as THEO-, sophos wise)

DEVIL DICTIONARY

theosophy

n. An ancient faith having all the certitude of religion and all the mystery of science. The modern Theosophist holds, with the Buddhists, that we live an incalculable number of times on this earth, in as many several bodies, because one life is not long enough for our complete spiritual development; that is, a single lifetime does not suffice for us to become as wise and good as we choose to wish to become. To be absolutely wise and good -- that is perfection; and the Theosophist is so keen-sighted as to have observed that everything desirous of improvement eventually attains perfection. Less competent observers are disposed to except cats, which seem neither wiser nor better than they were last year. The greatest and fattest of recent Theosophists was the late Madame Blavatsky, who had no cat.

THESAURUS

theosophy

anagoge, anagogics, anthroposophy, cabala, cabalism, esotericism, esoterics, esoterism, esotery, hocus-pocus, mumbo jumbo, mystery, mysticism, mystification, occultism, symbolics, symbolism, yoga, yogeeism, yogism

ROGET THESAURUS

theosophy

Theology

N theology (natural and revealed), theogony, theosophy, divinity, hagiology, hagiography, Caucasian mystery, monotheism, religion, religious persuasion, religious sect, religious denomination, creed, article of faith, declaration of faith, profession of faith, confession of faith, theologue, theologian, scholastic, divine, schoolman, canonist, theologist, the Fathers, theological, religious, denominational, sectarian.