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Webster 1913 Edition


Abderite

Ab-de′rite

,
Noun.
[L.
Abderita
,
Abderites
, fr. Gr.
Ἀβδηρίτης
.]
An inhabitant of Abdera, in Thrace.
The Abderite
,
Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher.

Webster 1828 Edition


Abderite

AB'DERITE

,
Noun.
An inhabitant of Abdera, a maritime town in Thrace. Democritus is so called, from being a native of the place. As he was given to laughter, foolish or incessant laughter, is call abderian.

Definition 2024


Abderite

Abderite

English

Noun

Abderite (plural Abderites)

  1. An inhabitant or native of Abdera, in Thrace.
    • 1814, G. Booth, chapter 4, in The Historical Library of Diodorus the Sicilian, volume 2, translation of original by Diodorus, page 27:
      To that end they entered the borders of the Abderites in another part of Thrace, and wasted and spoiled the country []
  2. (‘the Abderite’) Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher.

Usage notes

Ancient belief was that "the people of Abdera are fools and madmen" (stulti et insani Abderitae).[1]

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References

  1. the Latin and English phrases are quoted as they appear in Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy, volume 1 (2010)

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