[ ˌmanɪ'ki:ɪz(ə)m ]
(also Manicheism )
■ noun a dualistic religious system with Christian, Gnostic, and pagan elements, founded in Persia in the 3rd century by Manes ( c. 216– c. 276) and based on a supposed primeval conflict between light and darkness.
Origin
C17: from late L. Manichaeus (from the name Manes ) + -ism .