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ataraxia

[at-uh-rak-see-uh]
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noun
  1. a state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; tranquillity.
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Also at·a·rax·y [at-uh-rak-see] /ˈæt əˌræk si/.

Origin of ataraxia

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek: calmness, equivalent to atarák(tos) unmoved (a- a-6 + tarak-, variant stem of tarássein to disturb + -tos verbid suffix) + -s(is) -sis + -ia -ia
Related formsat·a·rac·tic [at-uh-rak-tik] /ˌæt əˈræk tɪk/, at·a·rax·ic, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ataraxia

Historical Examples

  • When the sage realizes this, he will cease to prefer one course of action to another, and the result will be apathy, "ataraxia."

    A Critical History of Greek Philosophy

    W. T. Stace

  • Ataraxia came to the Sceptic as success in painting the foam on a horse's mouth came to Apelles the painter.

  • The method, however, by which ataraxia or peace of mind could be reached, was peculiar to the Sceptic.

  • The aim of Pyrrhonism was ataraxia in those things which pertain to opinion, and moderation in the things which life imposes.

British Dictionary definitions for ataraxia

ataraxia

ataraxy (ˈætəˌræksɪ)

noun
  1. calmness or peace of mind; emotional tranquillity
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Word Origin

C17: from Greek: serenity, from ataraktos undisturbed, from a-1 1 + tarassein to trouble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ataraxia

n.

also Englished as ataraxy, "calmness, impassivity," c.1600, from Modern Latin, from Greek ataraxia "impassiveness," from a-, privative prefix, + tarassein (Attic tarattein) "to disturb, confuse," from PIE root *dher- "to make muddy, darken."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper