Milesian
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. [from 16th c.]
- a follower of the Milesian school of philosophy founded by Thales
Hyponyms
- Anaximanderian
- Anaximenean
- Thalesian
Adjective
Milesian (comparative more Milesian, superlative most Milesian)
- Pertaining to Miletus or its inhabitants. [from 16th c.]
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:
- 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 […].
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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 […] .
- 1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 1:
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
- Emilians, alienism