Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. traveling especially on foot
   • peripatetic country preachers
   • a poor wayfaring stranger
2. of or relating to Aristotle or his philosophy
   • Aristotelean logic

Noun

1. a follower of Aristotle or an adherent of Aristotelianism
2. a person who walks from place to place