Cyrenaic

English

Etymology

From Latin Cyrenaicus, from Ancient Greek Κῡρηνᾰῐ̈κός (Kūrēnaïkós), from Κῡρηναῖος (Kūrēnaîos, “Cyrenian, n.”) + -ικός (-ikós, “-ic: forming adjectives”), from Κυρήνη (Kurḗnē, “Cyrene”) + -ιος (-ios, “-y: forming demonyms”), q.v. Equivalent to Cyrene +‎ -ic or a backformation from Cyrenaica.

Adjective

Cyrenaic (comparative more Cyrenaic, superlative most Cyrenaic)

1. (chiefly historical) Of or related to Cyrenaicism, the philosophical school founded by Aristippus of Cyrene and codified by Aristippus the Younger.
2. (historical) Synonym of Cyrenian, of or related to Cyrene.
3. (chiefly historical) Synonym of Cyrenaican, of or related to Cyrenaica, the area around Cyrene in northeastern Libya.

Synonyms

• (Of or related to Cyrenaicism): Aristippan, Aristippian, Cyrenian, Cyrenean

Hypernyms

• (Of or related to Cyrenaicism): hedonistic

Noun

Cyrenaic (plural Cyrenaics)

1. (chiefly historical) A member or adherent of Cyrenaicism, the philosophical school founded by Aristippus of Cyrene and codified by Aristippus the Younger.
2. (historical) Synonym of Cyrenian, a person of or from Cyrene.
3. (chiefly historical) Synonym of Cyrenaican, a person of or from Cyrenaica, the area around Cyrene in northeastern Libya.

Synonyms

• (Follower of Cyrenaicism): Aristippan, Aristippian, Cyrenian, Cyrenean

Hypernyms

• (Follower of Cyrenaicism): See Thesaurus:sensualist

Derived terms

• Sirenaic

 

References

• “Cyrenaic”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “Cyrenaic, adj. & n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.