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Milesian

1
[ mi-lee-zhuhn, -shuhn, mahy- ]
/ mɪˈli ʒən, -ʃən, maɪ- /
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noun Irish Legend.
any of the people from Spain who invaded Ireland and defeated the Tuatha Dé Danann, and who were the ancestors of the present Irish people.
(sometimes lowercase) an Irishman.
adjective
(sometimes lowercase) Irish.
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Origin of Milesian

1
1765–75; Milēsi(us) (Latinization of Irish Miled, legendary Spanish king) + -an

Other definitions for Milesian (2 of 2)

Milesian2
[ mi-lee-zhuhn, -shuhn, mahy- ]
/ mɪˈli ʒən, -ʃən, maɪ- /

adjective
of or relating to Miletus.
Philosophy. noting or pertaining to a school of philosophers of the late 7th to early 5th centuries b.c., including Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, which was primarily concerned with the nature of matter and change.
noun
a native of Miletus.

Origin of Milesian

2
1540–50; <Latin Milēsius inhabitant of Miletus + -an
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Milesian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for Milesian (1 of 2)

Milesian1
/ (maɪˈliːzɪən) /

adjective
of or relating to Miletus
noun
an inhabitant of Miletus

Word Origin for Milesian

via Latin from Greek Milēsios

British Dictionary definitions for Milesian (2 of 2)

Milesian2
/ (maɪˈliːzɪən) facetious /

adjective
Irish
noun
an Irishman

Word Origin for Milesian

C16: from Milesius, a fictitious king of Spain whose sons were supposed to have conquered Ireland
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
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