What is gnostic definition?

Gnostic definition refers to a collection of religious and philosophical beliefs originating in the early Christian era that proposed a hidden knowledge, or gnosis, that could be obtained through contact with a divine source. Gnostic beliefs varied widely depending on the specific sect, but they often held that the material world was inherently flawed and that salvation came from an escape from the physical world into the spiritual one. The movement was seen as a challenge to traditional Christian orthodoxy and would eventually be persecuted by the Church. Today, the term "gnostic" is often used more broadly to describe any individual or group that claims to have secret knowledge or insight.