chrestomathy

[kres-tom-uh-thee]

noun

plural

chrestomathies 

1. a collection of selected literary passages, often by one author and especially from a foreign language.

chrestomathy

/ ˌkrɛstəʊˈmæθɪk, krɛsˈtɒməθɪ /

noun

1. rare,  a collection of literary passages, used in the study of language

Other Word Forms

• chrestomathic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chrestomathy¹

1825–35; < New Latin chrestomathia < Greek chrēstomátheia, equivalent to chrēstó ( s ) useful ( chrēs-, stem of chrêsthai to use + -tos verbal adjective suffix) + math- (variant stem of manthánein to learn) + -eia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of chrestomathy¹

C19: from Greek khrēstomatheia, from khrēstos useful + mathein to learn

Example Sentences

In short, the picture is a pictorial chrestomathy of drink.

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To this period belongs the preparation of the Φιλοκαλία, a sort of chrestomathy compiled by the two friends from the writings of Origen.

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The distribution of the Introduction to the Study of Indian Languages is resulting in the collection of a large series of chrestomathies, which it is believed will be worthy of publication.

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This admirable book has not been, and from its mixture of taste and learning is never likely to be, superseded as an introduction to, and chrestomathy of, the subject.

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The Persian text of these fables appeared in 1805 in the chrestomathy appended to Fr.

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Related Words

• oeuvre