Mandaean

or Man·de·an

[ man-dee-uhn ]

noun

1. a member of an ancient Gnostic sect extant in Iraq.
2. the Aramaic language of the Mandaean sacred books.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Mandaeans.

Mandaean

/ mænˈdɪən /

noun

1. a member of a Gnostic sect of Iraq
2. the form of Aramaic used by this sect

adjective

1. of or relating to this sect

Derived Forms

• Manˈdaeanism, noun

Other Words From

• Man·daean·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mandaean¹

1870–75; < Mandaean mandayy ( ā ) Gnostics (literally, the knowing ones) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mandaean¹

C19: from Aramaic mandaya Gnostics, from mandā knowledge

Example Sentences

Many of the refugees are Armenian Christians; others resettled under the program include Jews, Zoroastrians, Bahais and Mandaeans.

From Los Angeles Times

The wars that drove many Mandaeans out of the country also aggravated a water crisis set in motion by deposed dictator Saddam Hussein’s ecological policies.

From Washington Times

Mandaeans, who are followers of John the Baptist, face discrimination in many ways, she said — including having people throw rocks at them during baptisms.

From Los Angeles Times

The largest community of Mandaeans, 650-strong, may now be in Massachusetts.

From Economist

That much became clear when Barzalona rode Mandaean in the Dante Stakes at York last week, apparently on the expressed wish of Sheikh Mohammed.

From The Guardian