Adam

[ad-uhm, a-dahn]

noun

1. the name of the first man, according to the Bible: husband of Eve and progenitor of the human race.

2. Adolphe Charles 1803–56, French composer of comic opera and ballet music.

3. James, 1730–94, and his brother Robert, 1728–92, English architects and furniture designers.

4. Lambert Sigisbert 1700–59, and his brother Nicholas Sébastien 1705–78, French sculptors.

5. a first name.

adjective

1. of or relating to the style of architecture, decoration, or furnishings associated with Robert and James Adam, characterized by free adaptation of ancient Roman forms and interiors treated with delicate ornament generally painted in light, vivid colors.

Adam

¹

/ ˈædəm /

noun

1. Old Testament the first man, created by God: the progenitor of the human race (Genesis 2–3)

2. to have no knowledge of or acquaintance with someone

3. the evil supposedly inherent in human nature

Adam

²

noun

1. Adolphe. 1803–56, French composer, best known for his romantic ballet Giselle (1841)

2. Robert. 1728–92, Scottish architect and furniture designer. Assisted by his brother, James, 1730–94, he emulated the harmony of classical and Italian Renaissance architecture

adjective

1. in the neoclassical style made popular by Robert Adam

Word History and Origins

Origin of Adam¹

From the Hebrew word ādhām literally, “man”

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. not know from Adam, to be unacquainted with.

   He says hello to us every morning, but we don't know him from Adam.

2. the old Adam, the natural tendency toward sin.

   He attributed his wild outburst to the old Adam in him.

see not know from Adam.

Example Sentences

Trivariate Research’s founder Adam Parker put together a list of names that appear to be at the highest risk of collapsing.

Read more on Barron's

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in an interview that the league’s move to NBC is more of a homecoming than a transition.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has called cap circumvention “a cardinal sin.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s almost like the porridge gods decide whether your bowl of porridge is going to be any good,” said Adam Kiani, a London-based biologist who won the Golden Spurtle two years ago.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff blasted the decision to end the consent agreement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times