Archimedean
|ar-chi-me-de-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑrkɪˈmiːdiən/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːkɪˈmiːdiən/
related to Archimedes / Archimedean property
Etymology
'Archimedean' originates from the name 'Archimedes,' ultimately from Greek, specifically the name 'Ἀρχιμήδης' (Arkhimēdēs).
The Greek name 'Ἀρχιμήδης' was adopted into Latin as 'Archimedes,' and English formed the adjective by adding the suffix '-ean' (Latin/Old French influence) to create 'Archimedean' meaning 'of or relating to Archimedes.'
Initially the term derives from the proper name 'Archimedes'; over time it developed adjectival and specialized mathematical senses (for example, the 'Archimedean property') beyond simply 'relating to the man.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person associated with or following the ideas of Archimedes; (rare) an adherent or scholar of Archimedes' work.
The late scholar was known as an Archimedean for his deep study of ancient mechanics.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of Archimedes (the ancient Greek mathematician and inventor) or his discoveries and methods.
The museum displayed several Archimedean instruments and diagrams explaining his methods.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
in mathematics, satisfying the Archimedean property — roughly, having no infinitely large or infinitely small elements (e.g., the real numbers are Archimedean).
The real number field is Archimedean, whereas some ordered fields used in nonstandard analysis are non-Archimedean.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/11 12:46