manichaeism

2 definitions found

manichaeism - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Manichaeism \Man"i*chae*ism\, Manicheism \Man"i*che*ism\, n.
     [Cf. F. manich['e]isme.]
     The doctrines taught, or system of principles maintained, by
     the Manichaeans.
     [1913 Webster]

manichaeism - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Manichaeism
      n 1: a religion founded by Manes in the third century; a
           synthesis of Zoroastrian dualism between light and dark and
           Babylonian folklore and Buddhist ethics and superficial
           elements of Christianity; spread widely in the Roman Empire
           but had largely died out by 1000 [syn: Manichaeism,
           Manichaeanism]