cosmopolite
[koz-mop-uh-lahyt]
- a person who is cosmopolitan in his or her ideas, life, etc.; citizen of the world.
- an animal or plant of worldwide distribution.
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Origin of cosmopolite
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
votercivilianresidentnationalsettlerinhabitanttaxpayervillagerdwellercommoneraboriginedenizensubjecthouseholderoccupantnativecosmopoliteburgherburgesstownspersonExamples from the Web for cosmopolite
Historical Examples
As a cosmopolite, I claim this privilege, at least, though I can see defects in all.
Homeward BoundJames Fenimore Cooper
No, sir, it is the remarkable gift of our people to be cosmopolite.
One Of ThemCharles James Lever
Then you get the real British flavor, which the cosmopolite Englishman loses.
The Professor at the Breakfast TableOliver Wendell Holmes (Sr.)
Like Herodotus, he was cosmopolite enough not to be narrowly patriotic.
Classic French Course in EnglishWilliam Cleaver Wilkinson
A complete man is intellectually and physically a cosmopolite.
The History of Dartmouth CollegeBaxter Perry Smith
cosmopolite
- a less common word for cosmopolitan (def. 1)
- an animal or plant that occurs in most parts of the world
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for cosmopolite
n.
late 16c., "man of the world; citizen of the world," from Greek kosmopolites "citizen of the world," from kosmos "world" (see cosmos) + polites "citizen" (see politic). In common use 17c. in a neutral sense; it faded out in 18c. but was revived from c.1800 with a tinge of reproachfulness (opposed to patriot).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper