Theophrastus

American  

[thee-uh-fras-tuhs] / ˌθi əˈfræs təs /

noun

1. 372?–287 b.c., Greek philosopher.

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Theophrastus British  

/ ˌθɪəˈfræstəs /

noun

1. ?372–?287 _bc , Greek Peripatetic philosopher, noted esp for his Characters, a collection of sketches of moral types

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Other Word Forms

• Theophrastian adjective

Example Sentences

There goes the ancient philosopher Theophrastus with his taxonomy of social types; there goes the caricaturist William Hogarth, who believed the face to be “the index of the mind.”

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2020

Nam et sub Caesaris Augusti imperio in Puteolano mari, ut Apion scriptum reliquit, et aliquot saeculis ante apud Naupactum, ut Theophrastus tradidit, amores flagrantissimi delphinorum cogniti compertique sunt.

From Slate • Aug. 30, 2018

His childhood stuffed dog named Theophrastus rests on the couch.

From Washington Post • Jun. 19, 2017

“The Unscrupulous Man,” Theophrastus laments, “will go and borrow more money from a creditor he has never paid …” as if we haven’t heard that one before, Bernie Madoff.

From Salon • Oct. 13, 2012

The first, according to Theophrastus, was found on a part of Mount Œta called Pyra, on which the body of Hercules was burnt.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)