georgic

noun

geor·gic | \ ˈjȯr-jik

How to pronounce georgic (audio)

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Definition of georgic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a poem dealing with agriculture

georgic

adjective

Definition of georgic (Entry 2 of 2)

: agricultural

Did You Know?

Adjective

The adjective "georgic," which dates from the first half of the 18th century, derives by way of Latin georgicus and Greek geōrgikos from the Greek noun geōrgos, meaning "farmer." That noun, in turn, was formed by a combination of the prefix geō- (meaning "earth") and "ergon" ("work"), the latter of which gave us words such as "allergy" and "ergonomics." There is also a noun "georgic" (dating from the early 16th century) which refers to a poem that deals with the practical aspects of agriculture and rural affairs. The standard for such poems, Virgil's Georgics, is responsible for its name. That poem, written between 37 and 30 B.C., called for a restoration of agricultural life in Italy after its farms fell into neglect during civil war.

History and Etymology for georgic

Noun

the Georgics, poem by Virgil, from Latin georgicus

Adjective

Latin georgicus, from Greek geōrgikos, from geōrgos farmer, from geō- ge- + ergon work — more at work

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The first known use of georgic was in 1513

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