gymnosophist

[ jim-nos-uh-fist ]
/ dʒɪmˈnɒs ə fɪst /

noun

one of a group of Jainist philosophers, existing from ancient times to c1000, characterized by refusal to wear clothes and the abandonment of caste marks; a member of the Digambara sect.

Origin of gymnosophist

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin gymnosophistae Indian ascetics < Greek gymnosophistaí naked philosophers. See gymno-, sophist

OTHER WORDS FROM gymnosophist

gym·nos·o·phy, noun

Example sentences from the Web for gymnosophist

British Dictionary definitions for gymnosophist

gymnosophist
/ (dʒɪmˈnɒsəfɪst) /

noun

one of a sect of naked Indian ascetics who regarded food or clothing as detrimental to purity of thought

Derived forms of gymnosophist

gymnosophy, noun

Word Origin for gymnosophist

C16: from Latin gymnosophistae, from Greek gumnosophistai naked philosophers