Grecian

adjective

Gre·​cian ˈgrē-shən How to pronounce Grecian (audio)
: greek sense 1
specifically : being or resembling that of ancient Greece or the ancient Greeks
Grecian ruins
a Grecian urn/statue
Grecian gods/goddesses
Grecian motifs
… a charming town that dates from the Grecian period. Lizzie Porter
The mall had … a cafe with Grecian plaster columns … Monica Dux
… [Marie-Thérèse] Walter is recognizable [in Pablo Picasso's art] by … her classical Grecian profile … Jerry Saltz
Grecian noun
plural Grecians
archaic
'Was this fair face the cause' quoth she / 'Why the Grecians sacked Troy? …' William Shakespeare
grecianize transitive verb
or Grecianize
grecianized or Grecianized; grecianizing or Grecianizing; grecianizes or Grecianizes
The establishment of the Roman court at Constantinople tended rather to Latinize the Greeks, than to Grecianize the Latins … The New-York Quarterly

Word History

Etymology

Middle English greciane, ultimately from Latin Graecia Greece

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Grecian was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near Grecian

Cite this Entry

“Grecian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Grecian. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

Grecian

adjective
Gre·​cian ˈgrē-shən How to pronounce Grecian (audio)
: greek
Grecian noun
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