Icarian

1 of 3

adjective (1)

Icar·​i·​an ī-ˈker-ē-ən 

i-

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Icarus:

a

: soaring too high for safety

Icarian flight

b

: inadequate for or incapable of bringing about an ambitious project

Icarian methods

Icarian

2 of 3

adjective (2)

Icar·​i·​an ī-ˈker-ē-ən 

i-

: of, relating to, or constituting a communistic settlement established in the U.S. during the latter half of the 19th century by a group of French immigrants

the last Icarian utopia … fizzled out in 1895

—Time

Icarian

3 of 3

noun

Icar·​i·​an ī-ˈker-ē-ən 

i-

plural -s

: a member of an Icarian community

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Latin icarius of Icarus (from Greek ikarios, from Ikaros Icarus, Greek mythological character who flew so high on man-made wings that the sun melted them and sent him to destruction) + English -an

Adjective (2)

French icarien, from Icarie, communistic utopia in Voyage en Icarie (1842), novel by Étienne Cabet †1857 French political radical (from Icarie Icaria, island in the Aegean sea) + French -en -an

Noun

French icarien, from icarien, adjective

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for Icarian

• agrarian
• aquarian
• barbarian
• bavarian
• bulgarian
• cimmerian
• hungarian
• librarian
• ovarian
• riparian
• rotarian
• sectarian