Milesian

1 of 4

adjective (1)

Mi·​le·​sian
mə̇ˈlēzhən,
(ˈ)mī¦l-,
-ēshən
1
: of or belonging to the ancient city of Miletus, Asia Minor, or to its residents
2
: belonging or relating to a Milesian school of nature philosophers of the 6th century b.c. who were mainly concerned with the basal stuff of which the world is made compare anaximandrian , thalesian

Milesian

2 of 4

noun (1)

"
plural -s
1
: a native or resident of ancient Miletus
2
: a member of the Milesian school

Milesian

3 of 4

adjective (2)

"
: belonging or relating to the legendary earliest Celts of Ireland
broadly : irish
the banshee haunts only members of the high Milesian race Padraic Colum

Milesian

4 of 4

noun (2)

"
plural -s
: one of a legendary early Celtic people of Ireland said to have come from Spain
broadly : irishman
a true Milesian, pious Catholic, and descendant of King Somebody Anthony Trollope

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Latin milesius Milesian (from Greek milēsios, from Milētus Miletus) + English -an

Adjective (2)

Milesius (Miledh), mythical Spanish king whose followers are supposed to have conquered Ireland about 1300 b.c. and are regarded as the ancestors of most of the Irish + English -an

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Milesian

Cite this Entry

“Milesian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Milesian. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!