arete
- the aggregate of qualities, as valor and virtue, making up good character.
Origin of arete
arête
- a sharp rugged mountain ridge, produced by glaciation.
Origin of arête
Examples from the Web for arete
Historical Examples of arete
You will think that I am inventing, but I say that if kakia is right, then arete is also right.
CratylusPlato
But Arete pleaded hard with her husband for Medeia, for her heart was softened.
The HeroesCharles Kingsley
But for all that Arete besought him, until she won him round.
The HeroesCharles Kingsley
Arete, daughter of Aristippus, continued the latter's teachings after his death.
Greek WomenMitchell Carroll
Arete was also learned in natural history and in other branches of science.
Greek WomenMitchell Carroll
arête
- a sharp ridge separating two cirques or glacial valleys in mountainous regions
Word Origin for arête
Word Origin and History for arete
"sharp crest of a mountain," 1862, from Swiss French arête, from Latin arista "ear of grain, the top of an ear," which probably is of Etruscan origin. The figure is of something jagged.
important concept in Greek philosophy, "virtue, excellence," especially of manly qualities; literally "that which is good." The comparative form is areion, the superlative is aristos (cf. aristocracy).
arête
- A sharp, narrow ridge or spur commonly found above the snow line in mountainous areas that have been sculpted by glaciers. Arêtes form as the result of the continued backward erosion of adjoining cirques.