What does "homoousian" mean?
One of those, in the 4th century, who accepted the Nicene Creed and maintained that the Son had the same essence or substance with the Father.
Homoousian
/hɒməʊˈuːzɪən/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One of those, in the 4th century, who accepted the Nicene Creed and maintained that the Son had the same essence or substance with the Father.
- Grammar: homoousian is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: alike, duplicate, identical, indistinguishable.
- Usage evidence: But the more fashionable saints of the Arian times, the intrepid Athanasius, the learned Gregory Nazianzen, and the other pillars of the church, who supported with ability and success the Nicene doctrine, appeared to consider the expression of substance as if it had been synonymous with that of nature; and they ventured to illustrate their meaning, by affirming that three men, as they belong to the same common species, are consubstantial, or homoousian to each other.
How to use "homoousian"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "homoousian" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "homoousian" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 One of those, in the 4th century, who accepted the Nicene Creed and maintained that the Son had the same essence or substance with the Father. historical
"The Greek word, which was chosen to express this mysterious resemblance, bears so close an affinity to the orthodox symbol, that the profane of every age have derided the furious contests which the difference of a single diphthong excited between the Homoousians and the Homoiousians."
Adjective
- 1 Having the same essence or substance, especially with reference to the first and second persons of the Trinity (Father and Son). not-comparable
"But the more fashionable saints of the Arian times, the intrepid Athanasius, the learned Gregory Nazianzen, and the other pillars of the church, who supported with ability and success the Nicene doctrine, appeared to consider the expression of substance as if it had been synonymous with that of nature; and they ventured to illustrate their meaning, by affirming that three men, as they belong to the same common species, are consubstantial, or homoousian to each other."
Example
"But the more fashionable saints of the Arian times, the intrepid Athanasius, the learned Gregory Nazianzen, and the other pillars of the church, who supported with ability and success the Nicene doctrine, appeared to consider the expression of substance as if it had been synonymous with that of nature; and they ventured to illustrate their meaning, by affirming that three men, as they belong to the same common species, are consubstantial, or homoousian to each other."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "homoousian"?
Common synonyms include: alike, duplicate, identical, indistinguishable, like, one.
How do you use "homoousian" in a sentence?
But the more fashionable saints of the Arian times, the intrepid Athanasius, the learned Gregory Nazianzen, and the other pillars of the church, who supported with ability and success the Nicene doctrine, appeared to consider the expression of substance as if it had been synonymous with that of nature; and they ventured to illustrate their meaning, by affirming that three men, as they belong to the same common species, are consubstantial, or homoousian to each other.
How do you pronounce "homoousian"?
Pronounced /hɒməʊˈuːzɪən/.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ὁμοούσιος (homooúsios) + -an, from ὁμός (homós, “same”) + οὐσία (ousía, “essence”).