paideia

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παιδείᾱ (paideíā, “rearing of a child, education”), from παιδεύω (paideúō, “rear a child”) +‎ -ίᾱ (-íā), from παῖς (paîs, “child”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /paɪˈdeɪ.ə/

Noun

paideia (uncountable)

1. (Ancient Greece, historical, education) An Athenian system of education designed to give students a broad cultural background focusing integration into the public life of the city-state with subject matter including gymnastics, grammar, rhetoric, music, mathematics, geography, natural history, and philosophy
2. (Ancient Greece, historical, education) The epitome of physical and intellectual achievement to which an Ancient Greek citizen could aspire; societal and cultural perfection.
3. (Early Christianity, historical, education) An early model of Christian higher learning having theology as its chief subject.
4. (US, education, frequently attributive) A pedagogical system focusing on providing children with a broad and balanced education.

Synonyms

• (model of Christian higher learning): humanitas

References

• “paideia, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, January 2015.
• “paideia”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.