See also: nihilarian

English edit

Etymology edit

nihil +‎ -arian

Pronunciation edit

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌnaɪ.(h)ɪˈleəɹ.i.ən/
  • Hyphenation: ni‧hi‧la‧ri‧an

Noun edit

Nihilarian (plural Nihilarians)

  1. (derogatory) A member of a purported school of thought dealing with trivial matters.
    • 1901, Alexander Campbell Fraser, The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Formerly Bishop of Cloyne, translation of original by George Berkeley, Commonplace Book, page 14:
      If the wit and industry of the Nihilarians were employ'd about the usefull & practical mathematiques, what advantage had it brought to mankind !