cab·a·la

(kăb′ə-lə, kə-bä′-)

Variant of kabbalah.. See Usage Note at kabbalah.

cab′a·lism n.

cab′a·list n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cab•a•lism

(ˈkæb əˌlɪz əm)

n.

1. the principles or doctrines of the cabala.

2. an interpretation according to the cabala.

3. any mystic or occult doctrine.

[1580–90]

cab′a•list, n.

cab`a•lis′tic, adj.

cabalism

1. the principles or doctrines of the cabala, a system of theosophy, theurgy, and mystical Scriptural interpretive methods originated by rabbis about the 8th century and affecting later Christian thinkers.
2. an interpretation made according to these doctrines.
3. an extreme traditionalism in theological concepts or Biblical interpretation.
4. obscurantism, especially that resulting from the use of obscure vocabulary. — cabalist, n. — cabalistic, adj.

See also: Judaism

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	Cabalism - the doctrines of the Kabbalah Kabbalism doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school Judaism - the monotheistic religion of the Jews having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud
	2.	cabalism - adherence to some extreme traditional theological concept or interpretation kabbalism adherence, adhesion, attachment - faithful support for a cause or political party or religion; "attachment to a formal agenda"; "adherence to a fat-free diet"; "the adhesion of Seville was decisive"

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