# Augustine

/ˈɑɡəˌstin/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/augustine
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. Saint Augustine

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a famous Christian teacher and writer from the 4th century who influenced Western thought.

For teachers: Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430), a North African theologian and philosopher whose writings, such as 'Confessions', shaped Western Christianity.

- In university, we studied the philosophy of Augustine and his ideas about time.
- The theological framework established by Augustine remains a cornerstone of Western intellectual history, particularly his explorations of original sin and divine grace.

### 2. a religious member

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a member of a Catholic religious group that follows the rules of Saint Augustine.

For teachers: a member of a religious order, such as the Order of Saint Augustine, following the Rule of Saint Augustine.

- The old monastery was home to a group of Augustines for many centuries.
- The local parish was traditionally served by the Augustines, who maintained a strict adherence to the communal life prescribed by their patron's rule.

## Examples

- Many students study the writings of Augustine in their philosophy classes.
- The professor spent the entire semester analyzing the theological arguments presented by Augustine in his most famous works.
- Scholars often debate the extent to which the philosophical framework established by Augustine shaped the subsequent development of medieval European political thought and individual ethics.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.