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Agnostic

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a person who believes nothing can be known about God

Where does the word "agnostic" come from? It comes from Greek agnōstos, adopted directly into English (1869).

1
Stage 1 of 2
agnōstos
Greek · ancient
"unknown"
unknown, unknowable; Paul's sermon in Athens mentions an altar 'to an unknown god'
2
Stage 2 of 2
agnostic
English · 1869
"one who holds God unknowable"
coined by the biologist Thomas Huxley at a meeting of the Metaphysical Society in London
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Read the full story

Agnostic’s story begins in Greek: agnōstos meant “unknown.” Unknown, unknowable; Paul's sermon in Athens mentions an altar 'to an unknown god'. It reached English by 1869 as agnostic. Coined by the biologist Thomas Huxley at a meeting of the Metaphysical Society in London. Today, agnostic means a person who believes nothing can be known about God.