Nostradamus

English

Etymology 1

Michel de Nostredame's surname is one that honors Saint Mary (Our Lady). More details (if desired) are available at Nostradamus § Childhood.

Proper noun

Nostradamus

1. A French astrologer and author of prophecies who lived in the early 1500s.

Translations

Nostradamus

• Arabic: نُوسْتْرَادَامُوس m (nustradāmus)
• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 諾斯托拉達姆斯／诺斯托拉达姆斯 (Nuòsītuōlādámǔsī), 諾斯特拉達姆士／诺斯特拉达姆士 (Nuòsītèlādámǔshì), 諾特達姆／诺特达姆 (Nuòtèdámǔ)

• Georgian: ნოსტრადამუსი (nosṭradamusi)
• Hebrew: נוסטרדמוס
• Hindi: नोस्ट्राडेमस (nosṭrāḍemas)
• Japanese: ノストラダムス (Nosutoradamusu)
• Korean: 노스트라다무스 (Noseuteuradamuseu)
• Russian: Нострада́мус m (Nostradámus)
• Thai: นอสตราดามุส (nôttraadaamút)

Etymology 2

Since before 1908. Most likely from wordplay among physicians, as a playful agent noun for quacks who give nostrums to their patients, playing on wide familiarity with a cultural reference to the famous (and dubiously effective) Nostradamus.

Noun

Nostradamus (plural Nostradamuses)

1. (dated) Any quack doctor or charlatan.

See also

• nostrums