English edit

Etymology edit

1820s, from earlier German use; earlier hylical (1708). From Ancient Greek ῡ̔́λη (hū́lē, matter) +‎ -ic (of or pertaining to).

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

hylic (not comparable)

  1. Having to do with, or of the nature of, matter.
    • 1828, “a part of mankind were by original constitution altogether hylic or material”, in The New Jerusalem magazine and theological inspector, page 155:
    • 1840, Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger, translated by Edward Cox, A History of the Church Volume 1, page 133:
      three orders of beings,—the spiritual, physical and hylic natures.

Synonyms edit

Related terms edit

Noun edit

hylic (plural hylics)

  1. (Gnosticism) The basest type of man in the gnostic theologian Valentinus' triadic grouping; a person focused on neither intellectual (psychic) nor spiritual (pneumatic) reality.

Translations edit