Plural of gnosis: spiritual knowledge or insight, especially mystical knowledge believed to bring salvation in Gnostic religions.
From Greek gnosis meaning 'knowledge,' from gignoskein 'to know.' In early Christian history, it came to specifically refer to esoteric spiritual knowledge.
Early Christian Gnostics believed they had secret spiritual knowledge (gnosis) that could save the soul, which is why the Roman Church considered them heretics—they claimed special insider knowledge.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.