New Thought
Preserved but no longer current.
A general term for a system of therapeutics based on the theory that the mental and physical problems of life should be met, regulated and controlled by the sug- gestion of right thoughts. This system has nothing in common with Christian Science, auto-suggestion or psycho-therapy.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “New Thought” mean?
A general term for a system of therapeutics based on the theory that the mental and physical problems of life should be met, regulated and controlled by the sug- gestion of right thoughts. This system has nothing in common with Christian Science, auto-suggestion or psycho-therapy.
Is “New Thought” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.