Hellenistic

[ hel-uh-nis-tik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to Hellenists.
2. following or resembling Greek usage.
3. of or relating to the Greeks or their language, culture, etc., after the time of Alexander the Great, when Greek characteristics were modified by foreign elements. Compare Hellenic ( def 1 ).
4. of or relating to the architecture of Greece and Greek territories from the late 3rd century through the 1st century b.c., characterized by deviations of various sorts from the proportions and arrangements of the mature Greek orders, particularly in the attenuation of the Doric order, and by innovations in plan and ornamentation.
5. pertaining to or designating the style of the fine arts, especially sculpture, developed in the area conquered by Alexander the Great from the end of the 4th to the 1st century b.c., chiefly characterized by delicate and highly finished modeling, dramatic, often violent movement of forms in space, representations of extreme emotion, highly individuated characterization, and a wide variety of subject matter. Compare archaic ( def 4 ), classical ( def 6 ).

Hellenistic

/ ˌhɛlɪˈnɪstɪk /

adjective

1. characteristic of or relating to Greek civilization in the Mediterranean world, esp from the death of Alexander the Great (323 bc ) to the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra (30 bc )
2. of or relating to the Greeks or to Hellenism

Derived Forms

• ˌHellenˈistically, adverb

Other Words From

• Hellen·isti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hellenistic¹

First recorded in 1700–10; Hellene + -istic

Example Sentences

I could have lived without the initial video, but Hellenistic Egypt does require an introduction.

From The Daily Beast

He is affected by the philosophical jargon of the Hellenistic schools and by that of Stoicism.

From Project Gutenberg

No longer, moreover, was there an indifference to the State, as had been so generally the case in Hellenistic times.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless, the spread of the impulse to wander remains of primary significance for the Hellenistic period.

From Project Gutenberg

Both the Hellenistic and, still more, the original Ionian cities remain for the most part unexplored.

From Project Gutenberg

Hellenistic ware is forerunner of Samian or Aretine red pottery with moulded designs.

From Project Gutenberg