Socratic

[suh-krat-ik, soh-]

adjective

of or relating to Socrates or his philosophy, followers, etc., or to the Socratic method.

noun

a follower of Socrates.

any of the Greek philosophers influenced by Socrates.

Origin of Socratic

1630–40; < Latin Sōcraticus < Greek Sōkratikós of, pertaining to Socrates; see -ic

Related formsSo·crat·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti-So·crat·ic, adjectivepost-So·crat·ic, adjectivepseu·do-So·crat·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for socratic

searching, questioning, interrogative, interested, prying, probing, examining, heuristic, analytical, doubtful, inquisitive, nosy, quizzical, speculative, studious, investigative, catechistic, fact-finding, investigatory

Examples from the Web for socratic

Contemporary Examples of socratic

Many teachers now think of the Socratic method as the technique of encouraging students to say whatever they know about a topic.
The Ivy League Provides the Best Trade Schools Around
Nick Romeo
August 17, 2014
Often Socratic conversation induces utter confusion—the ancient Greek word is aporia—and ends with no clear solution to a problem.
The Ivy League Provides the Best Trade Schools Around
Nick Romeo
August 17, 2014
You need philosophy, not the modern bull session kind but the Socratic method of “What the hell am I thinking?”
My Commencement Speech to Rutgers’ Geniuses: Go Forth and Fail
P. J. O’Rourke
May 18, 2014
Socratic dialogue during strenuous exercise: take that, effete philosophers!
Atheist Philosopher Peter Boghossian’s Guide to Converting Believers
Michael Schulson
November 2, 2013
Solomon recounts a recurring Socratic dialogue between Robbins and Stein, Bock, and Harnick.
The Strange Power of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Jen Vafidis
October 28, 2013

Historical Examples of socratic

It is an orthodox Socratic position, but Godwin was not a student of Plato.
Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle
H. N. Brailsford
The centre of Godwin's moral teaching was yet another Socratic thought.
Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle
H. N. Brailsford
He is exhibiting Socrates for the first time undergoing the Socratic interrogation.
The Republic
Plato
Paleyan somewhat, perhaps Socratic, not devoid of common sense.
Cyropaedia
Xenophon
So the Socratic school based virtue and happiness on knowledge.
Introduction to the History of Religions
Crawford Howell Toy

British Dictionary definitions for socratic

Socratic

adjective

of or relating to Socrates, his methods, etc

noun

a person who follows the teachings of Socrates

Derived FormsSocratically, adverbSocraticism, nounSocratist (ˈsɒkrətɪst), noun

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

Word Origin and History for socratic

Socratic

adj.

1630s (Socratical is from 1580s), "of or pertaining to Greek philosopher Socrates" (469-399 B.C.E.), especially in reference to his method of eliciting truth by question and answer, from Latin Socraticus, from Greek Sokratikos "pertaining to Socrates or his school." His name is Greek Sokrates, literally "having safe might."