ephebe

[ ih-feeb, ef-eeb ]

noun

1. a young man, especially an ephebus.

ephebe

/ ˈɛfiːb; ɪˈfiːb /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) a youth about to enter full citizenship, esp one undergoing military training

Derived Forms

• eˈphebic, adjective

Other Words From

• e·phebic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephebe¹

1690–1700; < Latin ephēbus < Greek éphēbos, equivalent to ep- ep- + -hēbos, derivative of hḗbē manhood

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephebe¹

C19: from Latin ephēbus, from Greek ephēbos, from hēbē young manhood

Example Sentences

His glance touched their faces lightly as he smiled, a blond ephebe.

From Project Gutenberg

The Greek youth became enamoured of the ephebe in the gymnasium, where they appeared nude and beautiful.

From Project Gutenberg