Cyrenaic

[ sir-uh-ney-ik, sahy-ruh- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Cyrenaica, or its chief city, Cyrene.
2. noting or pertaining to a school of philosophy founded by Aristippus of Cyrene, who taught that pleasure is the only rational aim of life.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Cyrenaica.
2. a disciple of the Cyrenaic school of philosophy.

Cyrenaic

/ ˌsaɪrəˈneɪɪk; ˌsɪrə- /

adjective

1. (in the ancient world) of or relating to the city of Cyrene or the territory of Cyrenaica
2. of or relating to the philosophical school founded by the Greek philosopher Aristippus (?435–?356 bc ) in Cyrene that held pleasure to be the highest good

noun

1. an inhabitant of Cyrene or Cyrenaica
2. a follower of the Cyrenaic school of philosophy

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cyrenaic¹

1580–90; < Latin C ȳrēnaicus < Greek Kȳrēnnaïkós, equivalent to Kȳrēna- (combining form of Kȳrḗnē Cyrene ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Plato narrowly escaped the fate of slavery, but was ransomed by Anniceris, the Cyrenaic.

From Project Gutenberg

Euhemerus was a firm upholder of the Cyrenaic philosophy, and by many ancient writers he was regarded as an atheist.

From Project Gutenberg

The third called is the Cyrenaic, who appears clad in purple and crowned with a wreath.

From Project Gutenberg

Plato had studied mathematics there under Theodorus, and it had a school of its own which gave its name to the Cyrenaic sect.

From Project Gutenberg

It is of the utmost importance that this development of Cyrenaic hedonism should be fully realized.

From Project Gutenberg