Homœan, a. and n. Theol.
(hɒˈmiːən)
Also Homoian (hɒˈmɔɪən).
[f. mod.L. homœ-us, f. Gr. ὅµοιος like, similar + -an.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the Homœans.
| 1833 J. H. Newman Arians iv. iv. 362 Furthering their splitting into the Homœan and Homœusian factions. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 720/1 He appears to have joined the Homoian party, which took shape and acquired influence before the council of Constantinople in 360. Ibid., The Homoian formula, ‘filium similem esse patri suo’. 1950 J. N. D. Kelly Early Chr. Creeds ix. 290 It gave expression to the new ‘Homœan’ formula of compromise..—like in all respects—and strictly avoided technical terms. |
B. n. One of a group of Arians that developed c 355 and repudiated both the Homoousion and the Homoiousion, maintaining simply that in the Trinity the Son is ‘like’ the Father.
| 1896 G. P. Fisher Hist. Chr. Doctrine 142 The ‘Homœans’ would not go a step beyond the affirmation of a ‘likeness’,—meaning a likeness in will and active energy. 1912 Eng. Hist. Rev. Oct. 761 It was of course the Homoeusians, not the Homoeans, who inclined towards the Nicenes. 1957 Oxf. Dict. Chr. Ch. 81/1 The middle party, called ‘Homoeans’.., aimed at avoiding dogmatic precision as far as possible. 1966 P. R. Coleman-Norton Roman State & Chr. Ch. II. 420 Probably the Homoeans, moderate Arians, are meant. |