Milesian
|Mi-les-ian|
🇺🇸
/maɪˈliːziən/
🇬🇧
/maɪˈliːzɪən/
of/from Miletus; belonging to Milesian groups
Etymology
'Milesian' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'Milesius', from Greek 'Miletios' meaning 'of Miletus' (the city of Miletus).
'Milesian' developed from Greek 'Miletios' → Latin 'Milesius' → Middle English/Modern English 'Milesian', preserving the sense 'of or from Miletus' and extending to related senses.
Initially it meant 'of or from Miletus'; over time it came to denote members of the Milesian philosophical school, the legendary 'Milesians' of Irish myth, and (in literary history) the 'Milesian tale' sense of a risqué anecdote.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a native or inhabitant of Miletus (an ancient Greek city).
Thales was a Milesian philosopher.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a member or follower of the Milesian school of early Greek philosophers (e.g., Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes).
Anaximander was another famous Milesian.
Noun 3
in Irish mythology, one of the Milesians: the legendary Gaelic people said to have settled Ireland.
The Milesians are said to have settled Ireland after defeating the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
of or relating to Miletus or to the Milesian school of thought.
Milesian thinkers sought natural explanations for phenomena.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/08/23 05:34