gnostical, a.
(ˈnɒstɪkəl)
[f. prec. + -al1.]
= gnostic a.
| 1828 E. B. Pusey Hist. Enquiry 163 The old error of the Gnostical interpreters in the early Church was thus revived. 1854 Maurice Mor. & Met. Philos. (ed. 2) II. 26 Saturninus is memorable in history as the author of one of the so-called gnostical heresies. 1881 Athenæum 2 Apr. 460/1 Dr. Joel in his monograph..has advanced the knowledge..of mystical and Gnostical passages in this book [the Talmud]. |
Hence ˈgnostically adv. (In quots. used humorously; cf. gnostic A. 1 d.)
| 1824 Scott St. Ronan's iv, This is the very fellow that we saw down at the Willow-slack on Saturday—he was tog'd gnostically enough, and cast twelve yards of line with one hand. 1826 Wilson in Blackw. Mag. XX. 782 Smoking and leering, with tongue-lolling cheek, finger-tip and nose-tip gnostically brought together. |