Milesian

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English

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Etymology 1

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Borrowed from Middle French Milesien, and its source Latin Mīlēsius, from Ancient Greek Μιλήσιος (Milḗsios).

Pronunciation

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /mʌɪˈliːzɪən/, /mʌɪˈliːʒ(ə)n/

Noun

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Milesian (plural Milesians)

  1. (historical) a native or inhabitant of the ancient city of Miletus in Asia Minor. [from 16th c.]
  2. a follower of the Milesian school of philosophy founded by Thales
Hyponyms
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Adjective

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Milesian (comparative more Milesian, superlative most Milesian)

  1. Pertaining to Miletus or its inhabitants. [from 16th c.]

Derived terms

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Etymology 2

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From Latin Milesius, Latinised form of Míl Espáine, a legendary Spanish king whose sons were reputed to have conquered Ireland around 1300 BC.

Adjective

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Milesian (comparative more Milesian, superlative most Milesian)

  1. Pertaining to Milesius or his people; Irish.
    • 1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 1:
      My father was the youngest son of a numerous family, all Irish, sprung from a very ancient and honourable stock, being of Milesian descent [] .
    • 1884, M. L. O'Byrne, Ill-won Peerages, Or, An Unhallowed Union, page 427:
      [] exultingly cried Lord Carhampton, stealing an underlook at Maurice O'Driscoll, whom [sic] he knew was wont to boast of his Milesian lineage; []

Noun

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Milesian (plural Milesians)

  1. A member of a people in Irish mythology, the descendants of Míl Espáine.
  2. (dated, sometimes humorous) An Irishman; someone of Irish origin.

Anagrams

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