areopagitica
|a-re-o-pa-gi-ti-ca|
🇺🇸
/ˌærioʊpəˈdʒɪtɪkə/
🇬🇧
/ˌærɪəpəˈdʒɪtɪkə/
defense of free speech
Etymology
'Areopagitica' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'Areopagitika', where 'Areopagos' referred to the Areopagus (the hill of Ares) and the suffix '-ika' meant 'things pertaining to'.
'Areopagitica' changed from the Greek word 'Areopagitika' into a Latinized form 'Areopagitica' and was later adopted into English as the title used by John Milton.
Initially, it meant 'things relating to the Areopagus', but over time it evolved into the specific title referring to Milton's 1644 pamphlet and, by extension, to a forceful defense of free expression.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the title of a 1644 pamphlet by John Milton arguing against pre-publication censorship and defending the freedom of speech and of the press; by extension, a strong written defense of free expression.
Milton's Areopagitica is still cited today as a foundational defense of free speech and the press.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/11 07:12