pre-Socratic

American  

[pree-suh-krat-ik, -soh-] / ˌpri səˈkræt ɪk, -soʊ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the philosophers or philosophical systems of the period before the Socratic period.

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noun

1. any philosopher of this period.

Etymology

Origin of pre-Socratic

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The painting of the bald figure bears a citation of the pre-Socratic philosopher Parmenides.

From New York Times

When they were finally together, they made a little more small talk — regarding the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Heraclitus — and were soon bonding over a mutual love of cycling, camping, red meat and wine.

From New York Times

For Gioia, the pre-Socratic philosopher Pythagoras may be the most important and dire figure in his entire book.

From Washington Post

Aristotle was not the first to conceptualize an elemental system: he borrowed from the fifth-century-bc pre-Socratic philosopher Empedocles.

From Nature

Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher said, “You can’t step into the same river twice,” meaning that change is constant and inevitable.

From Seattle Times