I. agˈnästik, ə̇g-, aig-, -ēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification (influenced by English Gnostic ) of Greek agnōstos unknown, unknowable, not knowing, from a- a- (II) + gnōstos known, from gignōskein to know — more at know
: one who professes agnosticism ; broadly : one who maintains a continuing doubt about the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimates
agnostic … came into my head as suggestively antithetic to the gnostic of church history who professed to know so much — T.H.Huxley
Synonyms:
agnostic , freethinker , and atheist can all apply to one who does not take an orthodox religious position. agnostic is the most neutral; it usually implies only an unwillingness on available evidence to affirm or deny the existence of God or subscribe to tenets that presuppose such existence. freethinker is broader; it can apply to one of no determinable religious position or to one who feels truth is made more available by not committing oneself to any orthodoxy, especially a belief in God's existence. Often it can suggest a reprehensible and dangerous license of opinion. atheist can apply strictly and neutrally to one who denies the existence of God or tenets presupposing it. More frequently than freethinker , however, it has carried ideas of reprehensible license of opinion and menacing godlessness.
II. (ˈ)a(i)g|n-, ə̇gˈn- adjective
also ag·nos·ti·cal -tə̇kəl, -ēk-
1. : relating to or involving agnosticism ; especially : professing ignorance or uncertainty about the ultimates usually on the ground of unknowability
so far as faith in God is concerned they are agnostic rather than atheistic — W.L.Sperry
2. : characterized by tolerance : undogmatic
• ag·nos·ti·cal·ly -ə̇k(ə)lē, -ēk-, -li adverb
III. (ˈ)ag|nōstik adjective
Etymology: Greek agnōstos + English -ic
: of, relating to, or characterized by agnosia
agnostic symptoms
IV. noun
( -s )
: one who is a subject of agnosia
V. noun
: a person unwilling to commit to an opinion about something
most researchers remain agnostics , awaiting some observation or theoretical development — Charles Meegan
VI. adjective
: noncommittal 1
stubbornly agnostic about the free market — Sarah Wright