opsimath

opsimath

English

Etymology

First attested in 1808; from the Ancient Greek ὀψιμαθής (opsimathḗs, “late in learning”), ultimately from ὀψέ (opsé, “late”) and μανθάνω (manthánō, “I learn”); compare opsimathy, philomath, and polymath.

Noun

opsimath (plural opsimaths)

1. (rare) A person who learns late in life.[1]
   • 1808, Palaeus, "Stipendiary Curates: Fox's Historical Work," in The Gentleman's Magazine, June, p. 480:

     But with reference to the latter, I may be permitted to say, that from the dissipation and idleness of his earlier years, Mr. Fox in Greek and Roman Literature was necessarily an Opsimath.

   • 1951, L. A. Bisson, "French Literature 1789-1914," in R. L. Graeme Ritchie (ed.), A Companion to French Studies, Methuen, p. 297:

     The truth is that Zola was an opsimath, who had read Stendhal, Flaubert, Balzac, the Goncourts and Taine late in life.

   • 2010, Philip Shepherd, New Self, New World, ISBN 9781556439117, p. 451:

     I consider myself something of an opsimath, one who has been blessed with remarkable teachers and friends to assist my slow journey towards the experiences and understanding I was so keen to realize.

Derived terms

• opsimathy

See also

• late bloomer

References

1. Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd ed., 2004.