a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known about the existence of a god
example
As an agnostic, she often found herself exploring philosophical discussions about the existence of a higher power without committing to any particular belief.
synonyms
skepticnonbelieverdoubter
word origin — The term 'agnostic' was coined by the English biologist Thomas Huxley in 1869, derived from the Greek word 'agnostos' meaning 'unknown' or 'unknowable' (a- 'without' + gnostos 'known').
SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 297
Set 297 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: agnostic, impostor, arrears, lineage, cordon. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.
agnostic · noun/æɡˈnɑːstɪk/
a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known about the existence of a god
As an agnostic, she often found herself exploring philosophical discussions about the existence of a higher power without committing to any particular belief.
Synonyms: skeptic, nonbeliever, doubter
Origin: The term 'agnostic' was coined by the English biologist Thomas Huxley in 1869, derived from the Greek word 'agnostos' meaning 'unknown' or 'unknowable' (a- 'without' + gnostos 'known').
impostor · noun/ɪmˈpɑstər/
a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others
The notorious impostor managed to convince the wealthy couple that he was their long-lost relative.
Synonyms: fraud, faker, pretender
Origin: from the Latin 'impostor', meaning 'one who pretends or deceives', from 'imponere' meaning 'to place upon' or 'to impose'.
arrears · noun/əˈrɪrz/
the state of being behind in fulfilling obligations such as payments or duties
After missing several deadlines, the company found itself in arrears with its tax obligations.
Synonyms: debt, obligation, overdue
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French 'arer', meaning to be behind or in default. The term evolved through the legal context of obligations and debts.
lineage · noun/ˈlɪniɪdʒ/
the line of descent from an ancestor
Her lineage can be traced back to a noble family from the 16th century.
Synonyms: descent, genealogy, ancestry
Origin: from Middle English 'linage', from Old French 'linage', from 'ligne' meaning 'lineage', from Latin 'linea' meaning 'line'.
cordon · noun/ˈkɔːr.dən/
a line or circle of police, soldiers, or guards preventing access to or from an area
The police established a secure cordon around the crime scene to prevent any unauthorized access.
Synonyms: line, perimeter, barrier
Origin: The word 'cordon' comes from the French 'cordon', meaning a 'string' or 'ribbon', and is derived from the Latin 'chorda', meaning 'string' or 'cord'.