Peripatetic
/,peripə'tetik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Traveling from place to place, especially on foot: Describes a person who travels frequently, often by walking, for work or by nature.
- Relating to Aristotle or his philosophy: Pertaining to the teachings, methods, or school of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.
Noun:
- A follower of Aristotle: A person who adheres to or studies the philosophical system of Aristotle.
- A person who travels from place to place: An itinerant person; someone who walks or travels about.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- She led a peripatetic life as a freelance journalist, never staying in one city for long.
- The peripatetic nature of his job as a consultant meant he was always in airports.
- The peripatetic school of philosophy was named for Aristotle's habit of teaching while walking.
Noun:
- As a dedicated peripatetic, he could recite Aristotle's treatises from memory.
- The old peripatetic traveled the countryside, selling his wares from a cart.
Advanced Usage
Peripateticism (n): The philosophical system or teachings of Aristotle; also, the characteristic of traveling about.
- His doctoral thesis focused on the influence of Peripateticism on medieval thought.
Peripatetically (adv): In a traveling or itinerant manner; in the manner of Aristotle's teaching.
- The musician lived peripatetically, following the festival circuit.
Variants and Related Words
- Peripateticism (n): The philosophy or lifestyle of being peripatetic.
- Aristotelian (adj/n): A synonym, especially when referring to the philosophy of Aristotle.
Synonyms
- Itinerant: Traveling from place to place.
- Nomadic: Wandering, without a fixed home.
- Wayfaring: Traveling, especially on foot.
Related Phrases
- Peripatetic school: The school of philosophy founded by Aristotle, named for the covered walkway () at the Lyceum where he taught.
- The Peripatetic school made significant contributions to logic and natural science.
Notes on Different Meanings
- The primary modern use of peripatetic as an adjective refers to constant travel or movement.
- The philosophical use, as both an adjective and a noun, is more specialized and directly references Aristotle and his followers, who were known for discussing ideas while walking.
Adjective
- traveling especially on foot
- peripatetic country preachers
- a poor wayfaring stranger
- of or relating to Aristotle or his philosophy
- Aristotelean logic
Noun
- a follower of Aristotle or an adherent of Aristotelianism
- a person who walks from place to place