Agnostic

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /æɡˈnÉ’stɪk/
• US IPA: /æɡˈnɑːstɪk/
• Rhymes: -É’stɪk

Origin

First attested in 1870; coined by Thomas Huxley. Either from Ancient Greek ἄγνωστος (agnōstos, "ignorant, not knowing") or from a- + Gnostic. Deriving (either way) from Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-, "not") + γιγνώσκω (gignōskō, "I know").

Full definition of agnostic

Noun

1. A person who holds to a form of agnosticism, especially uncertainty of the existence of a deity.

Coordinate terms

• deist

Adjective

1. Of or relating to agnosticism or its adherents.His agnostic viewpoint is summarized in his book.
2. Doubtful or uncertain about the existence or demonstrability of God or other deity.She left the church when she became agnostic.
3. (computing) A software component (or other entity) that is unaware or noncommittal regarding the specific nature of the components with which it interacts; polymorphic; modular; pluggableThe socket communications layer is agnostic with regard to its underlying transport mechanism -- it is “transport-agnostic”.
4. (usually with a prepositional phrase) Having no firmly held opinions on an issue or matter of uncertainty.I'm agnostic on whether ethanol is a green fuelHe says he's agnostic concerning the Secretary's claims.

Related terms

• agnosticism
• gnostic
• ignosticism

Anagrams

• coasting
• coatings
• cotingas
• scoating