E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Agnostic (An).
A term invented by Prof. Huxley in 1885 to indicate the mental attitude of those who withhold their assent to whatever is incapable of proof, such as the absolute. In regard to miracles and revelation, agnostics neither dogmatically accept nor reject such matters, but simply say Agnosco—I do not know—they are not capable of proof.
