Manichaean

noun

Man·i·chae·an ˌma-nə-ˈkē-ən

variants or Manichean or Manichee

ˈma-nə-ˌkē

1

: a believer in a syncretistic religious dualism (see dualism sense 3) originating in Persia in the third century a.d. and teaching the release of the spirit from matter through asceticism

2

: a believer in religious or philosophical dualism

Manichaean adjective

or Manichean

Manichaeanism noun

or Manicheanism

ˌma-nə-ˈkē-ə-ˌni-zəm

Manichaeism noun

or Manicheism

ˈma-nə-(ˌ)kē-ˌi-zəm

Examples of Manichaean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Beth the romantic, Beth the chaotic, Beth the Manichaean. —

Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 16 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin manichaeus, from Late Greek manichaios, from Manichaios Manes died about a.d. 276 Persian founder of the sect

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of Manichaean was in 1556

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Manichaean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Manichaean. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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