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Demosthenes

American  
[dih-mos-thuh-neez] / dɪˈmɒs θəˌniz /

noun

  1. 384?–322 b.c., Athenian statesman and orator.


Demosthenes British  
/ dɪˈmɒsθəˌniːz /

noun

  1. 384–322 bc , Athenian statesman, orator, and lifelong opponent of the power of Macedonia over Greece

"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

Demosthenes Cultural  
  1. The greatest orator of ancient Greece. Demosthenes is said to have overcome a childhood stutter by forcing himself to speak with pebbles in his mouth. He delivered speeches called Philippics attacking King Philip of Macedon, who was an enemy of Demosthenes' city of Athens (see also Athens).


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Demosthenes Torres, one of Torres' lawyers, confirmed the arrest to Reuters.

From Reuters Jan. 14, 2023

Two years ago, the Getty quietly acquired a tiny ancient amethyst, less than an inch high, masterfully engraved with a bust of bearded Athenian statesman Demosthenes, brow furrowed and eyes set.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 6, 2021

For a time, he practiced speaking with rocks in his mouth, an anti-stuttering tactic he picked up from Demosthenes, the ancient Greek orator.

From Washington Post Jan. 12, 2021

He cited, for example, sources that trace the use of the gesture to ancient Greece, when it was used by Strepsiades to insult Aristotle and by Diogenes to insult Demosthenes.

From New York Times Jan. 4, 2013

She studied history written by Herodotus and Thucydides, which included political and military events of the past, and memorized the speeches of Demosthenes to learn the fine points of public speaking and debate.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

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