Hellenic

[ he-len-ik, -lee-nik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the ancient Greeks or their language, culture, thought, etc., especially before the time of Alexander the Great. Compare Hellenistic ( def 3 ).
2. Greek ( def 1 ).

noun

1. Also called Greek. a branch of the Indo-European family of languages, comprising a variety of ancient, medieval, and modern dialects and languages, all of them called Greek.
2. Katharevusa.

Hellenic

/ hɛˈlɛnɪk; -ˈliː- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the ancient or modern Greeks or their language
2. of or relating to ancient Greece or the Greeks of the classical period (776–323 bc ) Compare Hellenistic
3. another word for Greek

noun

1. a branch of the Indo-European family of languages consisting of Greek in its various ancient and modern dialects

Derived Forms

• Helˈlenically, adverb

Other Words From

• an·ti-Hel·len·ic adjective
• Hel·len·i·cal·ly adverb
• non-Hel·len·ic adjective
• pre-Hel·len·ic adjective
• pro-Hel·len·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hellenic¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Greek Hellēnikós “of, pertaining to the Greeks”; Hellene, -ic

Example Sentences

Given the prevalence of intelligent artificial objects in Hellenic culture, it is no surprise that engineers in the later Hellenistic period turned to designing and building these machines.

From Popular-Science

Hellenic thought, with its dangerous conclusions, was restated by Pater because "Les fleurs du Mal" had paved the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Plato treats the claim of Ionian to rank among the Hellenic modes as somewhat doubtful (Laches, p. 188).

From Project Gutenberg

The ideas of the Hellenic mystery-religions may be found to throw light on the language of St. Paul.

From Project Gutenberg

This fact alone reveals manners absolutely foreign to Hellenic and Roman civilisation.

From Project Gutenberg

In their eyes, it was the Hellenic civilisation overthrowing the presumption of the Western barbarians.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• classic
• humanistic