Apophatic
Rhetoric. denial of one’s intention to speak of a subject that is at the same time named or insinuated, as “I shall not mention Caesar’s avarice, nor his cunning, nor his morality.”.
Theology. knowledge, understanding, or description of God through negative statements about qualities and characteristics that God does not possess, as “God is not confined by space or time.”.
See also .
noun
(rhetoric) the device of mentioning a subject by stating that it will not be mentioned: I shall not discuss his cowardice or his treachery
adjective
pertaining to a knowledge of God obtained through negation
Word Origin
Gk. apophatikos
Usage Note
theology
adj.
“involving a mention of something one feigns to deny; involving knowledge obtained by negation,” 1850, from Greek apophatikos, from apophasis “denial, answer,” from apophanai “to speak off,” from apo- “off” (see apo-) + phanai “to speak,” related to pheme “voice” (see fame (n.)).
Read Also:
- Apophis
a demon serpent of darkness whom Ra, as sun god, destroys every morning at dawn. Contemporary Examples When Apophis buzzes the Earth on April 13, 2029, it will come within 19,400 miles (31,300 km) of our planet. Sorry, Doomsday Theorists Ilana Glazer January 10, 2013 Historical Examples In Apophis we find the Serpent fairly developed […]
- Apophony
.
- Apophthegm
. a short, pithy, instructive saying; a terse remark or aphorism. Historical Examples As some say, Solon was the author of the apophthegm, “Nothing in excess.” Familiar Quotations John Bartlett This apophthegm is one of the landmarks of religious history. The Expositor’s Bible: The Epistle to the Galatians G. G. Findlay The lump of earth, […]
- Apophyge
a small, concave, outward curve joining the shaft of a column, especially a classical column, to its base. Also called hypophyge. a similar curve joining the shaft of a column to its capital. Historical Examples The apophyge is the inverted cavetto or concave sweep, on the upper edge of which the diminishing shaft rests. Encyclopaedia […]
- Apophyllite
a hydrous potassium and calcium silicate mineral occurring in white crystals. Historical Examples apophyllite, a species of mineral of a foliated structure and pearly lustre, called also fish-eye stone. The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Various apophyllite always occurs as distinct crystals, which belong to the tetragonal system. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume […]