English edit

Etymology edit

From Latin Abderita, Abderites, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδηρίτης (Abdērítēs).

Pronunciation edit

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈæb.dəˌɹaɪt/
  • (file)

Noun edit

Abderite (plural Abderites)

  1. An inhabitant or native of Abdera, in Thrace.
    Synonym: Abderian
    • 1814, Diodorus, chapter 4, in G. Booth, transl., The Historical Library of Diodorus the Sicilian, volume 2, translation of original in Ancient Greek, page 27:
      To that end they entered the borders of the Abderites in another part of Thrace, and wasted and spoiled the country []
  2. (‘the Abderite’) Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher.

Usage notes edit

Ancient belief was that "the people of Abdera are fools and madmen" (stulti et insani Abderitae).[1]

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ the Latin and English phrases are quoted as they appear in Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy, volume 1 (2010)

Anagrams edit

Latin edit

Noun edit

Abdērītē

  1. ablative/vocative singular of Abdērītēs