To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Man·i·chae·an | \ ˌma-nə-ˈkē-ən 
\
\variants:
or Manichean or Manichee \ ˈma-nə-ˌkē \
\Definition of Manichaean
1 : a believer in a syncretistic religious dualism (see dualism sense 3) originating in Persia in the third century a.d. and teaching the release of the spirit from matter through asceticism
2 : a believer in religious or philosophical dualism
Other Words from Manichaean
Manichaean or Manichean adjective
Manichaeanism or Manicheanism \ ˌma-nə-ˈkē-ə-ˌni-zəm \ noun
\ nounManichaeism or Manicheism \ ˈma-nə-(ˌ)kē-ˌi-zəm \ noun
\ nounKeep scrolling for more
Comments on Manichaean
What made you want to look up Manichaean? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Name that Thing: Flower Edition
- Name that flower
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Name that Thing: Flower Edition
Can you correctly identify these flowers?
Take the quiz - March 2020 Words of the Day Quiz Take the quiz
- Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Dictionary Devil
The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?
Play the game
Share Manichaean
Time Traveler for Manichaean
The first known use of Manichaean was in 1556
See more words from the same year