nous

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“
But the incorruptible part is called the nous, and the vulgar think it is within them, as they likewise imagine the image reflected from a glass to be in that glass.

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Definitions (11)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (6)

  1. noun Philosophy Reason and knowledge as opposed to sense perception.
  2. noun Philosophy The rational part of the individual human soul.
  3. noun Philosophy The principle of the cosmic mind or soul responsible for the rational order of the cosmos.
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Examples (50)

  • And I smiled at the thought that I had aspired to such a beauty Entre nous, mon cher Courtenay,' Mr. Manners writes, 'entre nous, our Dorothy hath had many offers of great advantage since she hath been here. —  Richard Carvel
  • The ‘now’ of the beings that had become the neo- nous was a mystery to Asha. —  InterzoneScienceFictionandFantasyMagazine#215
  • "Entre nous, their marriage is on the rocks." ex cathedra —  infoplease - Daily Almanac
  • Well worth it if you are low on shame or nous, and politicians (any party) generally fall for it; t'was ever thus ... —  British Blogs
  • Nevertheless his touch and football nous was all there for everyone to see. —  Soccer Blogs - latest posts
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Greek.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Also nouse; from Greek νοῦς, contr. of νόος, the mind, intelligence, perception, sense, in Attic philosophy the perceptive and intelligent faculty; prob. orig. *γνόος, from √ γνο in γιγνώσκειν, know: see gnostic, know. The word, picked up at classical schools and the universities, passed into common humorous use, and even into provincial speech.
 

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