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Milesian. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Milesian, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Milesian in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
Milesian you have here. The definition of the word
Milesian will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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English
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Middle French Milesien, and its source Latin Mīlēsius, from Ancient Greek Μιλήσιος (Milḗsios).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /mʌɪˈliːzɪən/, /mʌɪˈliːʒ(ə)n/
Noun
Milesian (plural Milesians)
- (historical) a native or inhabitant of the ancient city of Miletus in Asia Minor.
- a follower of the Milesian school of philosophy founded by Thales
Hyponyms
Adjective
Milesian (comparative more Milesian, superlative most Milesian)
- Pertaining to Miletus or its inhabitants.
1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes , book II, London: Val Simmes for Edward Blount , →OCLC:I commend the Milesian wench, who seeing Thales the Philosopher continually ammusing himselfe in the contemplation of heavens-wide-bounding vault, and ever holding his eyes aloft, laid something in his way to make him stumble […].
Derived terms
Etymology 2
From Latin Milesius, Latinised form of Míl Espáine, a legendary Spanish king whose sons were reputed to have conquered Ireland around 1300 BC.
Adjective
Milesian (comparative more Milesian, superlative most Milesian)
- Pertaining to Milesius or his people; Irish.
- 1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 1:
- My father was the youngest son of a numerous family, all Irish, sprung from a very ancient and honourable stock, being of Milesian descent .
1884, M. L. O'Byrne, Ill-won Peerages, Or, An Unhallowed Union, page 427:[…] exultingly cried Lord Carhampton, stealing an underlook at Maurice O'Driscoll, whom he knew was wont to boast of his Milesian lineage; […]
Noun
Milesian (plural Milesians)
- A member of a people in Irish mythology, the descendants of Míl Espáine.
- (dated, sometimes humorous) An Irishman; someone of Irish origin.
Anagrams