episteme

[ ep-uh-stee-mee ]

/ ˌɛp əˈsti mi /

Save This Word!

noun

Philosophy. (in the works of 20th-century philosopher Foucault) the set of ideas and assumptions, often unconscious, that underlie and constrain what is accepted as knowledge in a particular period: Technology or social revolution creates a new episteme that then shapes the nature of scientific and social enterprise.

any organized or scientific system of knowledge based on a set of explicit principles; paradigm: The project explores the formation and operation of the episteme of patent law as currently practiced by lawyers.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of episteme

First recorded in 1840–45; from Greek epistḗmē “knowledge”

Words nearby episteme

epispastic, epispore, Epist., epistasis, epistaxis, episteme, epistemic, epistemics, epistemological, epistemology, episternum

How to use episteme in a sentence

There is episteme, which is connected with stasis, as mneme is with meno.
Cratylus|Plato