areopagy
|a-re-o-pa-gy|
/ˌærɪˈpæɡi/
Ares' hill → court/tribunal
Etymology
'areopagy' originates from Greek, specifically the phrase 'Areios pagos' (Ἄρειος πάγος), where 'Areios' referred to the god 'Ares' and 'pagos' meant 'rock' or 'hill'.
'areopagy' developed from the Greek phrase 'Areios pagos' into Latin 'Areopagus' and entered English via Late Latin/Medieval usage; the form 'areopagy' is a derivative used to denote the council or its jurisdiction.
Initially it referred to 'Ares' hill' (the physical place), but over time it came to mean 'the council or court that met there' and then more generally 'a tribunal or authoritative assembly'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the ancient Athenian council or court (Areopagus) that met on the Hill of Ares; historically responsible for homicide trials and moral oversight.
Important homicide cases in classical Athens were sometimes brought before the areopagy for trial.
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Noun 2
a tribunal or council of judges; any authoritative judicial body or assembly that pronounces judgments.
The ethics committee quickly became an areopagy, deciding who should be censured.
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Noun 3
(figurative) Any group or assembly that exercises severe or authoritative judgment on others, especially in cultural or intellectual matters.
A small areopagy of critics determined which poets would be included in the anthology.
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Last updated: 2025/10/11 06:16