Manichaeism

• Manicheism, Manichaeanism, Manicheanism

From Latin Manichaeus + -ism, from Classical Syriac ܡܐܢܝ ܚܝܐ (Mānī ḥayyā, “Living Mani”), from the name of its founder, Mani, from Middle Persian Mānī, Classical Syriac ܡܐܢܝ (Mānī) (Modern Persian مانی (mâni))[script needed] + Classical Syriac ܚܝܐ (ḥayyā, “living, alive”).

• IPA^(key): /mænɪˈkiːɪz(ə)m/
• IPA^(key): /ˈmænɪkiːɪz(ə)m/ (less commonly)

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Manichaeism

1. (religion) A syncretic, dualistic religion that combines elements of Zoroastrian, Christian, and Gnostic thought, founded by the Iranian prophet Mani in 3rd century AD.
2. (philosophy) A dualistic philosophy dividing the world between good and evil principles, or regarding matter as intrinsically evil and mind as intrinsically good.
   • 1988 June 12, William Safire, “No Shades of Gray”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     In Manichaeism, as Benny Goodman used to sing, it's “Gotta Be This or That.” One thing or the other will triumph, in this dualistic view, and the winner is supposed to be determined in an apocalyptic struggle involving a world conflagration.

• Manichaean
• Manichean
• Manichaeist
• Manichee