Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • (Biblical figure): In Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, the first man created by God, husband of Eve, and the progenitor of all humanity according to the Book of Genesis.
   • Architectural surname: Referring to Robert Adam (1728-1792) and his brothers, Scottish architects known for their neoclassical style, which significantly influenced British architecture.
   • Slang term: A street name for the drug methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Biblical):
  • According to the Bible, Adam was created from the dust of the earth.
  • The story of Adam and Eve is foundational to many religious teachings.
• Proper noun (Architectural):
  • The Adam style is characterized by elegant, classical motifs and pastel color schemes.
  • This fireplace is a fine example of an Adam design.
• Proper noun (Slang):
  • The police found a stash of Adam at the nightclub. (Note: This usage is informal and context-specific.)

Advanced Usage

• "the old Adam": A phrase referring to the sinful or flawed nature of humankind, inherited from the biblical Adam's fall from grace.
  • Despite his good intentions, the old Adam in him sometimes led to selfish actions.
• "not to know someone from Adam": An idiom meaning to not recognize someone at all or to have no knowledge of who they are.
  • I wouldn't know him from Adam; we've never met.

Variants and Related Words

• Adamite (noun): A descendant of Adam; a human being. Also, a member of a sect that practiced nudity, symbolizing the innocence of Adam.
• Adamic (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of Adam.
  • The poet described an Adamic state of innocence before the fall.
• Adam and Eve (noun phrase): The first human couple in the biblical narrative.

Synonyms

• Progenitor: An ancestor or parent, especially an early one.
• Forefather: A member of the past generations of one's family or people; an ancestor.
• Architect (in the context of Robert Adam): Designer.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Adam's ale (or Adam's wine): A humorous or old-fashioned term for water.
  • After the hike, all I wanted was a glass of Adam's ale.
• Adam's apple: The visible projection at the front of the throat, formed by the thyroid cartilage of the larynx, traditionally more prominent in men.
  • His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously.

Noun

1. street names for methylenedioxymethamphetamine
2. Scottish architect who designed many public buildings in England and Scotland (1728-1792)
3. (Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race