eupatrid

[ yoo-pa-trid, yoo-puh- ]

noun

, plural eu·pat·ri·dae [yoo-, pa, -tri-dee].

1. one of the hereditary aristocrats of ancient Athens and other states of Greece, who at one time formed the ruling class.

eupatrid

/ juːˈpætrɪd /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) a hereditary noble or landowner

Word History and Origins

Origin of eupatrid¹

1825–35; < Greek eupatrídēs, literally, of a good father, of noble descent, equivalent to eu- eu- + patr- (stem of patḗr ) father + -idēs -id ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of eupatrid¹

C19: via Latin from Greek eupatridēs, literally: having a good father, from eu- + patēr father

Example Sentences

It is not probable that the Eupatrid families were all autochthonous, even in the loose sense of that term.

From Project Gutenberg

It is clear that the executive power in the state (see Archon) was still vested in the Eupatrid class.

From Project Gutenberg

Between the Eupatrid oligarchy and the rule of Peisistratus there comes the timocracy of Solon.

From Project Gutenberg

His father, though connected with the priestly and high-born house of the Lycomedae, was not himself a Eupatrid.

From Project Gutenberg

To that eupatrid, joined before with himself, was now intrusted the command of the Grecian fleet.

From Project Gutenberg